Home Run!: Science Projects with Baseball and Softball

Children's Literature - Sarah Maury Swan

Want to improve your baseball/softball swing or see how moisture affects the ball, among other things? This is the book for you. Chapter 1 has experiments to determine what wind or rain or a wet ball field will do to the motion of the ball. Chapter 2 gives consideration to how bat weight affects a hit; how the ball's hardness changes the distance it can be hit; what affect does the position of the hitter's hands on the bat have on the length of the hit; and is hitting the ball off center different from hitting it dead center? Chapter 3 discusses statistics. Chapter 4's experiments deal with shoes and friction, ball spin and whether a batting glove will help. Chapter 5's emphasis is on bat use and Chapter 6 discusses ways to improve your game. The experiments are interesting, but I found some of the set-up descriptions confusing. Definitely a book for a kid and a grown-up to use together. It is part of the "Score: Sports Science Projects." Reviewer: Sarah Maury Swan

School Library Journal

Gr 6-10–This series ties science experiments to a variety of sports, capitalizing on their popularity. The books’ introductions include information about the history of the sport, safety steps to follow, and the scientific method. A trophy symbol shows which experiments include science-fair ideas. Each chapter begins with detailed information about the topic. Experiments include materials list (noting when an adult’s help is necessary), step-by-step instructions, questions to think about, and conclusions. Detailed diagrams help clarify many of the directions. Sidebars within the experiments include facts about the sports. Young researchers will find that these books meet their needs.