(April 21, 2016 at 10:29 pm)AFTT47 Wrote: The run up consumes time - time subtracted from the ball in flight. Since the speed in flight is so much greater than running speed, I would think the run up is a liability. It's a necessary one because of the need to plant and orient.
Erm...no, that's not how physics works. You don't subtract time from the ball in flight just because the guy takes some time running. The speed of the ball is measured relative to the ground, not to the runner.
It appears though, that there's no easy answer to whether running and throwing results in a faster ball speed compared to standing still and throwing. Physics says running and throwing should mean a faster ball, because the speed of the runner is added to the speed of the ball, however the throwing technique is different between the two methods.
Multiple kudos to anyone who can find a paper which actually addresses the problem, or who can do an experiment to find out.
