World's Longest Home Run (The "Mad Batter" Machine) - Smarter Every Day 230

SmarterEveryDay

31 Dec 201916:51

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn a thrilling 'Smarter Every Day' episode, Destin and Jeremy Fielding attempt to break the Major League Baseball home run distance record using engineering ingenuity. They construct a device that spins a baseball bat at astonishing speeds, exceeding 200 mph, to hit balls over 600 feet. After overcoming technical challenges with three-phase power and bat integrity, they achieve a staggering 696-foot home run, a feat made possible by the power of Tesla's three-phase electricity and their relentless experimentation.

Takeaways

🚀 The video is an engineering experiment attempting to break the Major League Baseball home run distance record using a custom apparatus.
🏞️ The experiment takes place on a little league baseball field where Destin, the host, used to play as a child.
🔧 Jeremy Fielding, a friend of Destin and a mechanical design expert, has been working on the apparatus for months, which includes a three-phase generator and a motor with a pulley system.
📈 The goal is to achieve bat velocities that could potentially hit a baseball over 600 feet, aiming to surpass the known home run record of around 575 feet.
🔄 Three-phase power is used to provide continuous torque to the motor, overcoming the limitations of single-phase power, a concept originally invented by Nikola Tesla.
🛠️ The apparatus initially struggles to achieve the desired bat speed due to being set to single-phase power, but after adjustment, it reaches high velocities.
💥 During testing, the bat breaks at the expected stress concentration point, demonstrating the extreme forces involved in the experiment.
🛡️ Safety measures are taken, including a wobble switch to stop the machine in case of imbalance, and additional shielding for the operators.
🎾 The team successfully hits a baseball over the fence at 50% power, and continues to test at higher speeds, eventually achieving a remarkable exit velocity of 190 mph.
🏆 The final attempt at full power results in a baseball being hit an astonishing 696 feet, which the host claims to be the longest home run in history, albeit in a non-traditional manner.
📚 The video also humorously includes a call to action for viewers to download the audiobook 'Skunk Works' through Audible, a sponsor of the 'Smarter Every Day' channel.

Q & A

What is the current major league baseball home run distance record mentioned in the script?
-The major league baseball home run distance record is around 575 to 580 feet, depending on the data source.
What is the purpose of the experiment conducted by Destin and Jeremy in the video?
-The purpose of the experiment is to attempt to beat the major league baseball home run distance record using engineering techniques to spin a bat at high velocities.
What is the average swing speed of a major league baseball bat mentioned in the script?
-The average swing speed of a major league baseball bat is about 90 miles per hour.
What apparatus did Jeremy Fielding devise for the experiment?
-Jeremy Fielding devised an apparatus that includes a three-phase generator, a large motor, and a pulley system for gear reduction to spin the bat at high velocities.
What is the significance of three-phase power in the context of the experiment?
-Three-phase power, as invented by Nikola Tesla, provides continuous torque to the motor by having three alternating current waveforms that are 120 degrees out of phase with each other, ensuring no dip in power and allowing for higher torque than single-phase power.
What was the initial problem with the setup when trying to hit the ball with the spinning bat?
-The initial problem was the lack of active feedback, as the batter can move the bat during a swing, but the apparatus could not adjust the bat position, leading to many attempts to achieve a perfect hit.
What safety measures were taken after the wooden bat broke during the experiment?
-After the wooden bat broke, they decided to use aluminum bats and added extra shielding to Destin's battle station for protection.
How did the team address the issue of the bat flying off the shaft during the experiment?
-They drilled into the handles of the bats and inserted a pin to secure the bats to the shaft, preventing them from flying off.
What was the longest distance a baseball was hit in the experiment, and how was it measured?
-The longest distance a baseball was hit was 696 feet, which was measured using drones and GPS technology.
What book is mentioned in the script as a recommended audiobook for 'Smarter Every Day' viewers, and why is it recommended?
-The book 'Skunk Works' is recommended as it details the development of the SR71 Blackbird and the F117 Stealth Fighter, showcasing amazing aerospace engineering stories that align with the channel's theme of learning and discovery.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Engineering the Ultimate Home Run

Destin and Jeremy Fielding embark on a project to surpass the major league baseball home run distance record using engineering techniques. They discuss the physics of baseball, including bat speed, exit velocity, and the importance of launch angle. They set up an apparatus with a three-phase generator and motor to spin a bat at extreme velocities on a little league field. The goal is to hit a ball over 600 feet, potentially setting a new record. Challenges arise with the setup, including the lack of active feedback and the need for multiple attempts to achieve the perfect swing.

05:00

🔧 Overcoming Obstacles with Innovation

After initial failures with a wooden bat, the team switches to aluminum bats and makes adjustments to their machine. They discuss the importance of the bat's integrity and the challenges of achieving full power from their industrial generator. Jeremy explains the concept of three-phase power, a method to provide continuous torque to the motor, overcoming the limitations of single-phase power. The team experiences a dramatic bat breakage, but also a surprising success when an aluminum bat is launched over the fence, exceeding expectations and showcasing the power of their engineering efforts.

10:01

🏏 Record-Breaking Baseball Experiment

The team conducts a series of tests with baseballs, hitting them at varying speeds and angles to understand the impact on ball trajectory. They compare their results with historical home run records and discuss the significance of exit velocity in baseball. Despite breaking bats and facing technical difficulties, they manage to hit a ball an impressive distance, which they measure using drones and GPS. The final measurement of 696 feet is presented as a potential new record for the longest home run in history, achieved through the use of advanced engineering and the power of three-phase electricity.

15:01

📚 Audible Sponsorship and Future Teasers

In the final paragraph, Destin humorously addresses the sponsorship by Audible and playfully calls out viewers who have not downloaded the recommended audiobook 'Skunk Works'. He provides instructions for downloading the book and praises its content on aerospace engineering. Destin also teases upcoming content, inviting viewers to subscribe for more exciting experiments and to stay updated on the channel's latest projects. The video concludes with a warm thank you to the viewers for joining the journey to get smarter every day.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Home Run

A home run is a term in baseball that refers to a hit that allows the batter to circle all the bases and score a run without any defensive player making an out. In the video's context, the main goal is to achieve a home run that surpasses the known distance records, which is central to the theme of attempting to beat the record with engineering.

💡Exit Velocity

Exit velocity is the speed of a baseball as it leaves the bat after being hit by the batter. It is a critical factor in determining the distance a ball will travel. In the script, the creators discuss the high exit velocity achieved by major leaguers and their attempt to exceed it with their engineered setup.

💡Gear Reduction

Gear reduction is the process of reducing the speed of rotation in a mechanical system by using gears. In the video, a pulley system with gear reduction is used to spin the bat at high velocities, which is essential for achieving the desired home run distance.

💡Launch Angle

Launch angle is the angle at which a baseball bat is swung to impact the ball, affecting the trajectory and distance of the hit. The script mentions an ongoing discussion about the optimal launch angle for achieving maximum distance, which is a significant aspect of the engineering challenge presented.

💡Three Phase Power

Three phase power is an electrical power system that provides a more consistent torque to motors by using three alternating currents that are out of phase with each other. In the video, a three-phase generator is used to power the motor that spins the bat, illustrating the application of this concept in their engineering attempt.

💡Torque

Torque is a measure of the force that can cause rotation about an axis. It is crucial for the motor's ability to spin the bat at high speeds. The script explains the concept of torque in the context of using three-phase power to achieve greater torque for the experiment.

💡Bat Speed

Bat speed refers to how fast a baseball bat is moving at the moment of impact with the ball. The script describes testing the bat at various speeds, with the ultimate goal of achieving a speed that results in a record-breaking home run.

💡Stress Concentration

Stress concentration is a phenomenon where stress is higher at certain points in a structure, often leading to failure. In the script, the bat breaks at the expected stress concentration point, demonstrating the concept in the context of the experiment's outcome.

💡Imbalance

Imbalance refers to a lack of symmetry or equilibrium, which can lead to instability or failure. The video describes an instance where an imbalance caused by having only one bat on the shaft results in damage to the machine, illustrating the importance of balance in engineering.

💡Dinger

A dinger is a slang term for a home run in baseball, typically used to describe a hit that is impressive but not necessarily record-breaking. In the script, the term is used to describe a successful hit that went over the fence but did not achieve the goal of breaking the home run distance record.

💡Exit Velocities

Exit velocities in the context of baseball refer to the speed of the ball as it leaves the bat after being hit. The script discusses measuring the exit velocities of the balls hit by their engineered system, which are significantly higher than those achieved by professional baseball players.

Highlights

Attempting to beat the major league baseball home run distance record using engineering.

Major leaguers swing the bat at about 90 miles an hour, resulting in high exit velocity.

Introduction of an apparatus designed by Jeremy Fielding, involving a three-phase generator and a pulley system.

The experiment takes place on a little league baseball field with the goal to hit homers over 600 feet.

Discussion on the importance of launch angle in baseball for achieving the desired exit velocity.

Challenge of replicating the active feedback of a human batter in the experimental setup.

First test results in a bat breaking at the expected stress concentration point.

Realization of not getting full power from the industrial generator due to a setting error.

Explanation of the difference between single phase and three phase power and its impact on motor torque.

Successful test hitting a baseball over the fence with an aluminum bat at full power.

Innovation of a wobble switch as a safety feature to prevent machine damage.

Use of drones and GPS for measuring the distance of the hit, revealing a 696 feet home run.

Record of the longest verifiable home run in professional baseball history mentioned.

Discussion on the theoretical maximum exit velocity of baseball bats and comparison with major league averages.

The longest home run in history claimed with a distance of 696 feet, exceeding the previous records.

Humorous call-out for viewers to download the 'Skunk Works' audiobook as part of the video's sponsorship.

Teaser for an upcoming big event in the next video, sparking curiosity among viewers.

Transcripts

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