Sunday, 19 May, 2013

Lying liars lie!

We lie for many reasons: Glory. Money. Both. Something else. Is there a science of detecting lies? Does the digital realm make lying harder? Easier? Both?

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Pitching the biomechanics The fate of baseball teams valued at hundreds of millions of dollars and followed by millions of rabid fans can come down to the elbow ligaments of a handful of young men who can throw a ball nearly 100 mph. But that doesn’t mean the best science guides their training.
Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Is humid air heavier than dry air?

Is humid air “heavier” than dry air? Broadcasters of baseball games in mid-summer commonly suggest that the air on a hot, muggy night is “heavy” and that, as a consequence, the ball will not travel as far when hit. But is humid (i.e. moist) air really heavier than dry air? First of all, “moist air” [...]

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Hit a home run

Whack that baseball! When you hit a baseball, speed, angle and air resistance all affect how far it travels. Balls hit too low quickly return to Earth; balls hit too high travel a long way vertically, but not far horizontally. Can you find the “sweet spot” where horizontal travel is greatest. Can you find the [...]

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Sports Doping

What is EPO? What are steroids? Do steroids cause aggression? Are steroidal athletes bad role models? Are we over-reacting to steroid use?

Thursday, December 16th, 2004

Baseball Science

Throw a curve ball. Evade the rainstorm. And don’t get mouth cancer. It’s all in an afternoon’s ball game.

Thursday, April 4th, 2002