Question

3) A pitch thrown by Carl Mays of the Yankees struck Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman in the head on August 16, 1920. Chapman died from the resulting head trauma 12 hours later and remains the only Major League Baseball player to have died from injuries suffered during a MLB game. This lead to rule changes eliminating spit balls, dirtying balls, and umpires removing and replacing dirty balls when needed during games to reduce erratic ball trajectories. However, batting helmets did not become part of MLB play until 30 years later.

a) Calculate an estimate of the energy imparted to a batter struck by a pitch from a Major League pitcher. (Complete data not given)

b) Compare your estimate of the impact energy of a baseball pitch (proven lethality) with that of a baseball-sized water balloon dropped from the top of the Eiffel Tower (324 m) onto the mingling crowd below. Comment on the risk of such a prank and whether the Eiffel Tower security should include a check for water balloons. (Complete data not given)

Answer 1

ん ニ472 m/s no= 150 2 1(0150) (972) 2 1672 J. by = O ISO (93) (321) 9ts vey nisy to stand undir tovger