Kagan: The physics of the bat flip
From SABR member David Kagan at The Hardball Times on October 2, 2017:
The postseason is upon us, and we can count on clutch hits, critical walks, epic homers, and – of course – the associated theatre of championship bat flips. One of the most famous postseason bat flips belongs to Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays after his three-run seventh inning blast in Game 5 of the 2015 American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers (Tom Lawless certainly has a case though).
Bat flips are similar to the designated hitter and the no-pitch walk. Fans either love them or hate them. There is no middle ground. Many players also seem to place themselves in one camp or the other. Kris Bryant explained why he won’t toss the lumber, “It’s enough of a disgrace to the pitcher when it’s halfway up the video board.”
Read the full article here: https://www.fangraphs.com/tht/the-physics-of-the-bat-flip/
Originally published: October 2, 2017. Last Updated: October 2, 2017.