The Physics of Baseball

By Robert Adair,

Book cover of The Physics of Baseball

Book description

Blending scientific fact and sports trivia, Robert Adair examines what a baseball or player in motion does-and why. How fast can a batted ball go? What effect do stitch patterns have on wind resistance? How far does a curve ball break? Who reaches first base faster after a bunt, a…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Physics of Baseball as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The first edition of Adair’s book came out in 1990. I was an undergraduate physics and mathematics major at Vanderbilt University at the time. The title alone drew me because I once thought of playing baseball and was already in love with physics.

I devoured Adair’s book! More than any other book, it got me thinking, “Maybe I could combine sports and physics into a career.” 

By the time the third edition came out in 2002, I was teaching a Physics of Sports course. I had my students read the book. Many of them loved it. Adair's book kept me…

From John's list on combine sports and Science.

Want books like The Physics of Baseball?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Physics of Baseball.

Browse books like The Physics of Baseball

Book cover of Slap Shot Science: A Curious Fan's Guide to Hockey
Book cover of The Physics of Rugby
Book cover of The Science of Soccer

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,590

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in physics, baseball, and presidential biography?

Physics 152 books
Baseball 178 books