[NIump50]

Originally posted by bob jenkins

And, we're back to where we started -- defining the term.

As I (and I think others) are using the term, I mean that if F1 releases the ball such that it's instantaneous /initial vector is parallel to the ground, the ball will never be farther from the ground than it is at it's initial point. In addition, the ball's distance above the ground at any position will be (a) less than at any point prior to that position and (b) greater than at any point after that position.

I also think that everyone agrees that if two balls are thorwn at the same initial angle relative to the ground that (all other things being constant) (a) the faster ball will "fall less" over the same distance and (b) the ball with the greater backspin rate will fall less.

I'm glad to see the discussion getting back on track.
I have a couple final thoughts on what's gone on here the past week.
This past week was my first on the forum, on my first or second post I made a philosophical statement couched in a not so serious 'Deep deep thought of the day'
It was intended to make a point re: this discussion that maybe the science being applied here was wrong. Having no experience on this forum I had no idea that my statement would be met with such malicious and venomous personal attacks on both the posts and emails. I enjoy a good discussion/argument as much as anybody but this one got so far off point I was embarrassed. However, as you all saw I did not back off. As umpires we all put up with a certain amount of crap from others, but most of us know where the line is drawn. When a coach or player attacks us personally we don't accept it, we don't pretend not to hear it, we take action swiftly and decisively. I felt the same way here "among "my fellow brothers in blue." For making a scientific statement that coincides with my faith I was verbally attacked in a way that totally took me by surprise. The name calling, purposeful and malicious misquoting(As it turns out I understand about the misquoting and I forgive Mcowder, I'm finding he is generally unruly and usually wrong. In two other posts I saw from him on different threads he was wrong in his interps and clearly corrected by his peers. So between his misquoting of my post and his mis interps he was 0 for 3 last week. That speaks for itself.) the attacks were on my intelligence, my faith, and even whether I was human (lol)
I don't know if I went over the line in my responses but I can tell you I had lots of fun. Those who resort to name calling and personal attacks when you disagree on scientific theory show an extreme lack of intelligence and self control. Some even showed cowardice when confronted with their inability to quote correctly, I digress.

I'm sorry it got to this point but in the future, like any good umpire I will never walk away in shame when someone questions my intelligence or my liniage on the field or in the officials forum.(whether I missed the call or not)