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*Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
People used to think curve balls were just an illusion. But thanks to technology and the science of physics, we now know that a baseball actually does curve, as much as 18 inches, when thrown by a skilled pitcher.
Curve balls start when a pitcher throws them with topspin .
topspin
air pressure
wind resistance
As the ball spins, its bottom surface moves in the same direction in which the air moves.
Topspin makes the top of the baseball spin in the opposite direction to the air moving over the ball’s surface, creating wind resistance .
air ow
Wind resistance creates higher air pressure above the ball which pushes against the ball, making it fly in a curved flight path.
Pitchers can throw several kinds of pitches to confuse the batter. Do the math to discover which is which.
9:
13:
This pitch makes the ball curve away from the batter.
This ball curves down and away from the batter.
Follow the curved paths to reach the baseball.
10:
This ball drops suddenly just before it reaches home plate.
© Vicki Whiting September 2026
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