Story: The Gyroball Mystery, 12/20/06
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec06/gyroball_12-20.html


 Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. Why is Daisuke Matsuzaka in the news right now?

 

 

 

 

2. What is the name of the pitch that has the attention of fans?

 

 

 

 

3. What was the last new pitch introduced to major league baseball?

 

 

 

 

4. What are the three forces acting on airborne baseballs?

 

 

 

 

5. What force do pitchers manipulate when they throw a baseball?

 

 

 

 

6. What spin is applied to a fastball, curveball and slider?

 

 

 

 

7. What makes the spin on the gyroball different?

 

 

 

 

8. In a "perfect" gyroball, which force is canceled?

 

 

 

 

9. Why does a knuckleball have an unpredictable path?

 

 

 

 

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. After the 1968 season, "the year of the pitcher," the pitcher's mound was lowered to even the balance of power between the pitcher and the batter. If a new pitch creates a significant advantage for pitchers, should Major League Baseball lower the pitcher's mound again? If you think it should, by how much would you lower it? In answering this question, be sure to consider the impact of lowering the mound on game play and the business of baseball.

2. Using the information in the table below, calculate the time (in seconds) it takes a baseball thrown at 90 mph to travel the distance from the pitcher's mound to the plate (60.5 feet).

3. Using the answer to the previous question and infomation in the table below, calculate the vertical drop in a baseball (in meters) due to gravity when it is thrown 60.5 feet at 90 miles per hour. Convert the vertical drop to feet.

4. Draw force diagrams illustrating the direction of four forces -- gravity, drag, lift and thrust -- for the following objects:

(Some forces may not be applicable to some objects.)

  • A fastball (with backspin) in flight
  • A bullet (with spiral spin) shot out of a rifle
  • An Olympic diver about to enter the water
  • A rocket taking off
  • A motionless ball sitting on the ground
Information for Questions 2 and 3
Conversion factors

1 mi = 5280 ft

12 in = 1 ft

1 ft = 0.3048 m
Constants
 g = 9.81 m/s2
Equations*

v = d / t

v = v0 + g t

v2 = v02 + 2 g d
*v is the final velocity (in m/s),
v0 is the initial velocity (in m/s),
g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2),
d is the distance dropped (in m), and
t is the time (in s).

 

 

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of the topics in this exercise providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.