Professor makes baseball a science

For David Peters, McDonell Douglas Professor of Engineering, baseball is a science. The aerospace and mechanical engineering professor thinks about physics as he watches the game.

Originally from the St. Louis area, Peters grew up loving baseball, and more specifically, the Cardinals. In 2006, his beloved team won the World Series, led by pitcher Adam Wainwright’s huge curve ball, which he used to strike out several batters. KSDK called Washington University, looking for someone to explain why a curve ball curves. They found Peters.

Though his explanation as to why a curve ball curves was not new science, it allowed the average person to understand the science behind the pitch. Peters went on to turn this project into a series, explaining how home runs work, the difference between wooden and aluminum bats, and, most recently, why left-handed players have an advantage in baseball and how a headfirst slide is faster than a feetfirst one.

Senior Scott Kennedy, a member of the baseball team, worked with Peters on his last two projects. As a mechanical engineering major, his own thinking about baseball complements that of Peters; he tries to maximize the difference in angles between his upper and lower body to create more power for swinging and throwing.
Peters’ take on the slide was particularly intriguing to Kennedy.

“I’m a traditionalist and have always slid feetfirst,” Kennedy said. “He didn’t go into the risk of injury, which happens a lot with headfirst slides.”

Though he was enthralled with Peters’ work, Kennedy had a few reservations.

“It is important to blend science with play,” he said. “On the science side, some things make logical sense when they make no sense at all on the playing side. For example, getting into a crouch to slide into first is really awkward and makes more sense for other bases. He is looking at what is quickest and not what is easiest for the body to perform.”
Ric Lessmann, head coach of Washington University’s baseball team, was also skeptical of these projects.

“It relates to the individual. He will determine which method is faster or better,” he said. “Also, while left-handed batters are closer to first base, left-handed fielders can only play first base or the outfield.”

For Peters, the most important aspect of this research is bringing science to the general population. He has talked about his findings at locations outside of St. Louis.
“It turns out this is a really good way to get kids interested in science and engineering,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind running across the country helping kids to understand science.”

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