HOW TO CATCH A CRICKET BALL

Authors
DIENES Z MCLEOD P
Citation
Z. Dienes et P. Mcleod, HOW TO CATCH A CRICKET BALL, Perception, 22(12), 1993, pp. 1427-1439
Citations number
11
Categorie Soggetti
Psychology, Experimental
Journal title
Perception → ACNP
ISSN journal
03010066
Volume
22
Issue
12
Year of publication
1993
Pages
1427 - 1439
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-0066(1993)22:12<1427:HTCACB>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
A cricket or baseball fielder can run so as to arrive at just the righ t place at just the right time to catch a ball. It is shown that if th e fielder runs so that d2(tan alpha)/dt2 = 0, where alpha is the angle of elevation of gaze from fielder to ball, then the ball will general ly be intercepted before it hits the ground. This is true whatever the aerodynamic drag experienced by the ball. The only exception is if th e ball is not approaching the fielder before he starts to run.