Rating: 
Summary: Why curve ball curves; effects of bat and ball properties.
Review: A fantastic book for any baseball fan with a scientific interest. Discusses in straightforward terms (with equations relegated to back of chapters) such things as why and how much a spinning ball curves, the interaction of bat and ball, how an outfielder gauges a fly ball, effects of atmospheric conditions, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: A new look at the national pastime
Review: Before my wife and I married, she had to pass the "basketball" test by sitting through a University of Illinois game in a crowded bar and at least feigning interest. The first nights of our honeymoon were taken up with the World Series (luckily for her, the winning team swept the series). I thus consider myself a sports fan (I am obviously a reader). Accordingly, I was delighted to receive for a recent birthday Robert K. Adair's The Physics of Baseball. The book itself, however, did not quite meet expectations. I encountered two key problems. First, Adair writes in the dry, passive-voice-laden prose of the scientist lacking a good editor. Second, much of the scientific analysis was simply beyond me. What I enjoyed -- and found useful -- were the qualitative discriptions of the game: how and why curveballs curve; how far a batted ball can be hit; the differences between metal and wood bats. While I could not follow each step of his scientific description, the general, non-technical account which he also gave was clear and persuasive. From henceforth, I will watch the game somewhat differently.
Rating:
Summary: A new look at the national pastime
Review: Before my wife and I married, she had to pass the "basketball" test by sitting through a University of Illinois game in a crowded bar and at least feigning interest. The first nights of our honeymoon were taken up with the World Series (luckily for her, the winning team swept the series). I thus consider myself a sports fan (I am obviously a reader). Accordingly, I was delighted to receive for a recent birthday Robert K. Adair's The Physics of Baseball. The book itself, however, did not quite meet expectations. I encountered two key problems. First, Adair writes in the dry, passive-voice-laden prose of the scientist lacking a good editor. Second, much of the scientific analysis was simply beyond me. What I enjoyed -- and found useful -- were the qualitative discriptions of the game: how and why curveballs curve; how far a batted ball can be hit; the differences between metal and wood bats. While I could not follow each step of his scientific description, the general, non-technical account which he also gave was clear and persuasive. From henceforth, I will watch the game somewhat differently.
Rating:
Summary: Carl Anderson from Fredericksburg, VA United States
Review: Carl, you criticize the "typo's" (sic) in Bill James book, and you bemoan the fact that such careless editing went into his work. However, your little note is filled with mistakes (e.g., I found the use misuse of "it's" particularly amusing). Two questions: (i) based on such mistakes, am I able to trust your review of the book? and (ii) are you lazy or just stupid?
Rating:
Summary: Math for non-mathematicians
Review: Dr Adair has written a wonderful book on the physics involved in that greatest of sports - baseball! It is well-written and easily understood, even by those with only a minimal understanding of physics. For those interested in more detailed discussions, the mathematical appendices should appease. A book every serious baseball fan should read.
Rating:
Summary: Why and How a Baseball Behaves As it Does
Review: Ever wondered why a curve ball curves? Why major leaguers stretching for third often take a wide turn between first and second? Why bats seem to break much more often than they used to? This wonderful book contains the answers. Written by a Yale physicist, it contains well-documented but sometimes densely worded explanations of why and how a baseball, a bat and even the players behave as they do. Any serious fan of baseball will finish this book with an enhanced appreciation for the game. Not to mention the ability to speak intelligently about how grip and mechanics differ between pitchers throwing curves and sliders. The author has wisely chosen to address the questions posed most frequently by baseball lovers who aspire to higher knowledge. His only failure is his heavy reliance on technical academic language and somewhat mysterious graphs. It makes for a very enlightening but slow read.
Rating:
Summary: Technology of the flight of a baseball written for laymen.
Review: Excellent treatment of the variables that affect the flight of a thrown or batted ball. Reveals facts that explain why the ball does, or doesn't do what people think it does. For example, most players, coaches and spectators are not aware that a fastball decelerates on its' flight from the pitcher to the catcher at a rate of about one mile per hour for every seven feet of travel. Thus the ball speed, as it reaches the batter, 60 feet six inches away, is about 8-9 MPH slower than the speed when it leaves the pitcher's hand. The Professor also explains the dynamics of the curve ball; and why a ball hit at Coor's Field travels farther than those hit at most other ballparks. His theories are interesting, enlightening, and provocative. I strongly recommend the book to any baseball fan who wants to understand why a thrown or batted ball does what it does.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Book!
Review: I am a HUGE baseball fan, and have been since Junior High. I grew up at the little league fields watching my older brother play. Since I've been in college, my love for baseball has only grown. I read this book after just finishing college level introductory physics. While the concepts in this book are not the most complicated, readers who have not had a similar level of instruction may find some of them hard to grasp. I think this is mainly due to the author's writing style. At any rate, even if it takes you a few times to read and understand the explanation of why a curve ball curves (which I have gone back to time and again because it so amazing!), it is well worth the time. Baseball fans will gain more respect for the game and its players. Skeptics who think the game is mind-numbingly boring might even come to like the game after reading this, if they have any respect for the role mental ability and precision plays in sports.I highly recommend this book for baseball players, fans, physics majors (it's one of the more fun and easy to comprehend real-life applications of your field of study!), and anyone who isn't afraid of a little technical language!
Rating: 
Summary: Disapointing...thought it would be better.
Review: I couldn't finish this book. I thought it would be in simplier terms and more interesting.
Rating:
Summary: For Physicists More Than Fans
Review: I never thought I'd say this, but this book is just too technical to be any fun. It is SOOOO detailed in its explanation of the various physical forces at work in a baseball game that the book takes way too long to get anywhere. Worse still, the book isn't organized very well, so if you want to just skip to the "punchline" to figure out what the author's trying to tell you (e.g. curveballs really do curve, fastballs don't really rise, corked bats don't help), it's very difficult to do. I love physics, and I love baseball, so I thought I'd love this book, but I'm sorry to say that it left me cold.
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