Baseball is a game of power, skill, and finesse. Each pitcher and hitter is always striving to outdo their previous record, to hit the ball further and faster than they ever have before. But what is the farthest baseball ever hit by a human?
The Record-Breaking Home Run
The record-breaking home run is generally attributed to Joey Meyer, a former minor league baseball player. Meyer hit a 582-foot home run on August 28, 1987, during a game between the Denver Zephyrs and the Iowa Cubs. The ball reportedly cleared the stadium and landed in a nearby parking lot.
The Home Run That Wasn’t
Though Meyer’s home run is widely recognized as the farthest home run ever hit, some believe that the record belongs to Bobby Bonds. On July 3, 1971, during a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves, Bonds hit a ball that reportedly flew over the roof of the stadium and into a nearby parking lot. Unfortunately, the ball was never found, and the official scorekeeper did not record the hit as a home run.
The Physics Behind Long Home Runs
Though the records for the farthest home run may be disputed, the physics behind a long home run is not. A long home run is the result of an equation that takes into account the speed of the ball and the angle of the bat. Generally speaking, the faster the ball is hit and the higher the angle of the bat, the farther the ball will fly.
The Impact of the Batter’s Strength
In addition to the speed and angle of the hit, the strength of the batter plays a role in the distance of the home run. A stronger batter is able to hit the ball with more force, which can result in a longer home run.
The Impact of the Stadium
The size and shape of the stadium can also affect the distance of the home run. A larger stadium will allow for a longer home run, since the ball has more room to travel. Conversely, a smaller stadium will limit the distance of the home run.
Conclusion
Though it may be impossible to definitively say which baseball was hit the farthest, it is clear that Joey Meyer’s 582-foot home run is a record that is unlikely to be broken anytime soon. The physics behind a long home run, combined with the strength of the batter and the size and shape of the stadium, all play a role in the distance of the home run.