[GoDawgs]

 4.5 to 5 hour drive from New Orleans and very limited ticket availability. 
Geaux Cardinal!

Mississippi State fan here. Looking forward to a great Super Regional matchup! Stanford has had a very impressive season. I figured I would provide general traveling tips for anyone looking to travel to the games.

Chairback tickets will not be available. The quantity is simply not enough for demand. However, general admission tickets are $30 for the weekend or $15 for each game. A stand-up bar runs the entire length of the field. Berms are free to sit on, but you'll need to arrive 2 hours prior to first pitch. Fans are friendly and pride themselves on hospitality. Walk around in the outfield area with your Stanford gear on and somebody will feed you!

 Airports:
Golden Triangle Regional Airport (30 minute drive)
Meridian Regional Airport (1.5 hour drive)
Jackson International Airport (2 hour drive)
Birmingham International Airport (2.5 hour drive)
Memphis International Airport (3 hour drive)

Hotels:
Starkville is a small town, hotels will be limited in availability. AIRBNB or staying in Columbus, MS will be your best bet (30 minute drive).

[GoDawgs]

 4.5 to 5 hour drive from New Orleans and very limited ticket availability. 
Geaux Cardinal!

Mississippi State fan here. Looking forward to a great Super Regional matchup! Stanford has had a very impressive season. I figured I would provide general traveling tips for anyone looking to travel to the games.

Chairback tickets will not be available. The quantity is simply not enough for demand. However, general admission tickets are $30 for the weekend or $15 for each game. A stand-up bar runs the entire length of the field. Berms are free to sit on, but you'll need to arrive 2 hours prior to first pitch. Fans are friendly and pride themselves on hospitality. Walk around in the outfield area with your Stanford gear on and somebody will feed you!

 Airports:
Golden Triangle Regional Airport (30 minute drive)
Meridian Regional Airport (1.5 hour drive)
Jackson International Airport (2 hour drive)
Birmingham International Airport (2.5 hour drive)
Memphis International Airport (3 hour drive)

Hotels:
Starkville is a small town, hotels will be limited in availability. AIRBNB or staying in Columbus, MS will be your best bet (30 minute drive).

[Hulk01]

I also assume that, in balance--
heat , humidity, and MSU's humidors--
the balls should be flying in Starkville.

As the golfers, among others here, know,
a ball flies farther in warm air,
and farther in humid air.

The less dense air also some break out of breaking balls,
which perhaps favors more long balls, too.

Might be a plus for Stanford,
which plays big ball--87 home runs and a .205 ISO power,
versus the Bulldogs' 62 dingers and a .161 ISO power.

[Hulk01]

I also assume that, in balance--
heat , humidity, and MSU's humidors--
the balls should be flying in Starkville.

As the golfers, among others here, know,
a ball flies farther in warm air,
and farther in humid air.

The less dense air also some break out of breaking balls,
which perhaps favors more long balls, too.

Might be a plus for Stanford,
which plays big ball--87 home runs and a .205 ISO power,
versus the Bulldogs' 62 dingers and a .161 ISO power.

[oldalum]

is there an accepted scientific explanation for why a baseball (or golf ball) flies further in humid air than dry air at the same temperature? Intuitively I would have thought the reverse (I obviously have bad intuition.) just curious, thanks.

[oldalum]

is there an accepted scientific explanation for why a baseball (or golf ball) flies further in humid air than dry air at the same temperature? Intuitively I would have thought the reverse (I obviously have bad intuition.) just curious, thanks.

[BigEasyCard]

First off, congrats on the regional win. You guys battled last night and overcame adversity all weekend. I was able to watch most of the second Fresno ST game and Stanford looks like a gritty baseball team. As a Mississippi State fan, I'm looking forward to seeing one of college baseballs best programs at DNF.

Offensively, this MSU team has a balance of experienced battle tested players and a good bit of FR/SO talent. Our lineup is very aggressive at the plate and will swing early in counts. That can be both a strength and a weakness. We can get ourselves out early in counts if you use the aggressiveness against us. The lineup is very balanced in terms of power/average/speed. That said, our lineup goes as Jake Mangum goes.

On the mound, we rely on establishing plus counts and will pound the zone with fastballs. Ethan Small throws fastballs at a 80% clip and does a great job changing the eye level using fastballs up in the zone. He is very deceptive and lives at 88-93....though he hit 96 a few times Friday. Ginn has elite stuff but had to be pulled from Friday's game because of "soreness." He missed two starts earlier in the year for the same cause. That said, our coaching staff is being very cautious and his status going into the week is unknown. I personally think he will pitch Game 3. Plumlee, our #3 starter, has been very good. It would not shock me to see him get the nod in game 2. Out of the pen, we will rely on a mix of sinker ballers, cutters, and power. Our most reliable have been Gordon and Liebelt. 

I've included a link to our baseball stats/schedule information in the event you're curious. I've also included a link to our official baseball Twitter account which will keep you up to date on regional information.

https://hailstate.com/sports/2007/6/26/944260.aspx
https://twitter.com/HailStateBB?ref_src=...r%5Eauthor

If any of you have specific questions related to our lineup/pitchers, post them here. And if you find yourself in Starkville on Satuday, I hope you have an enjoyable experience. It is a unique place to watch a baseball game. I'm looking forward to a fun series.

Thank you for stopping by to share information about your Bulldogs.  Very few of us have been to Starkville, but as you can tell from this thread, we have plenty of respect for Mississippi State.

Geaux Cardinal!

[BigEasyCard]

First off, congrats on the regional win. You guys battled last night and overcame adversity all weekend. I was able to watch most of the second Fresno ST game and Stanford looks like a gritty baseball team. As a Mississippi State fan, I'm looking forward to seeing one of college baseballs best programs at DNF.

Offensively, this MSU team has a balance of experienced battle tested players and a good bit of FR/SO talent. Our lineup is very aggressive at the plate and will swing early in counts. That can be both a strength and a weakness. We can get ourselves out early in counts if you use the aggressiveness against us. The lineup is very balanced in terms of power/average/speed. That said, our lineup goes as Jake Mangum goes.

On the mound, we rely on establishing plus counts and will pound the zone with fastballs. Ethan Small throws fastballs at a 80% clip and does a great job changing the eye level using fastballs up in the zone. He is very deceptive and lives at 88-93....though he hit 96 a few times Friday. Ginn has elite stuff but had to be pulled from Friday's game because of "soreness." He missed two starts earlier in the year for the same cause. That said, our coaching staff is being very cautious and his status going into the week is unknown. I personally think he will pitch Game 3. Plumlee, our #3 starter, has been very good. It would not shock me to see him get the nod in game 2. Out of the pen, we will rely on a mix of sinker ballers, cutters, and power. Our most reliable have been Gordon and Liebelt. 

I've included a link to our baseball stats/schedule information in the event you're curious. I've also included a link to our official baseball Twitter account which will keep you up to date on regional information.

https://hailstate.com/sports/2007/6/26/944260.aspx
https://twitter.com/HailStateBB?ref_src=...r%5Eauthor

If any of you have specific questions related to our lineup/pitchers, post them here. And if you find yourself in Starkville on Satuday, I hope you have an enjoyable experience. It is a unique place to watch a baseball game. I'm looking forward to a fun series.

Thank you for stopping by to share information about your Bulldogs.  Very few of us have been to Starkville, but as you can tell from this thread, we have plenty of respect for Mississippi State.

Geaux Cardinal!

[Hulk01]

Old alum:
Agreed, the obvious assumption is that humid air is heavier.
But it isn't.  It's less dense.

And staying with the power theme:
Stanford has two mega sluggers (hitters with ISO power over .300):
Wulff (.320) and Daschbach (.326).
The Bulldogs don't have one.

Stanford has three other sluggers (hitters with ISO power over .200):
Bella (.246), Matthiesen (.231), and Stowers (.214)
Mississippi State has one, Fosco (.250),
The rest of their lineup features a lot of guys with Tawa-type (.162 ISO) power.
Their third-leading home run hitter has just seven.

[Hulk01]

Old alum:
Agreed, the obvious assumption is that humid air is heavier.
But it isn't.  It's less dense.

And staying with the power theme:
Stanford has two mega sluggers (hitters with ISO power over .300):
Wulff (.320) and Daschbach (.326).
The Bulldogs don't have one.

Stanford has three other sluggers (hitters with ISO power over .200):
Bella (.246), Matthiesen (.231), and Stowers (.214)
Mississippi State has one, Fosco (.250),
The rest of their lineup features a lot of guys with Tawa-type (.162 ISO) power.
Their third-leading home run hitter has just seven.

[Austroturf]

is there an accepted scientific explanation for why a baseball (or golf ball) flies further in humid air than dry air at the same temperature? Intuitively I would have thought the reverse (I obviously have bad intuition.) just curious, thanks.

I found this about golf balls and humid air:

Humidity has a significant effect on golf ball distance, too. The higher the humidity, the longer the ball flies. You can feel humid air more, but water weighs less than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that make up dry air. So, you're hitting into thinner air, which means the ball goes farther as though a golfer were playing at a higher altitude. Ultimately, however, going from basically no humidity to full humidity has the effect of a single yard.

From a chemical standpoint, N2 and O2 have atomic weights of 28 amu and 32 amu, respectively, whereas H2O weighs in at 18 amu.  This renders humid air actually lighter, even though it feels heavier.  But as is noted in the paragraph above, the effect is not significant.  

[Austroturf]

is there an accepted scientific explanation for why a baseball (or golf ball) flies further in humid air than dry air at the same temperature? Intuitively I would have thought the reverse (I obviously have bad intuition.) just curious, thanks.

I found this about golf balls and humid air:

Humidity has a significant effect on golf ball distance, too. The higher the humidity, the longer the ball flies. You can feel humid air more, but water weighs less than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that make up dry air. So, you're hitting into thinner air, which means the ball goes farther as though a golfer were playing at a higher altitude. Ultimately, however, going from basically no humidity to full humidity has the effect of a single yard.

From a chemical standpoint, N2 and O2 have atomic weights of 28 amu and 32 amu, respectively, whereas H2O weighs in at 18 amu.  This renders humid air actually lighter, even though it feels heavier.  But as is noted in the paragraph above, the effect is not significant.  

[oldalum]

thanks for the explanations. I think the second part of the explanation for me is that the water molecules are not simply added to the air molecules in a given volume of dry air; at the same temperature they are in place of them so the overall density is lighter.
Whatever the explanation, I'm all for it as long as we hit many more home runs than them, with a higher density of baserunners when we hit 'em.

[oldalum]

thanks for the explanations. I think the second part of the explanation for me is that the water molecules are not simply added to the air molecules in a given volume of dry air; at the same temperature they are in place of them so the overall density is lighter.
Whatever the explanation, I'm all for it as long as we hit many more home runs than them, with a higher density of baserunners when we hit 'em.

[Hulk01]

My other big wish:
That the Mississippi State fans
behave much better than Fresno State's.

But is anyone here,
in all your Stanford fandom experience,
aware of worse fans than Fresno State's?

If all college games were like those three,
I'd stop watching them.  Really.

[Hulk01]

My other big wish:
That the Mississippi State fans
behave much better than Fresno State's.

But is anyone here,
in all your Stanford fandom experience,
aware of worse fans than Fresno State's?

If all college games were like those three,
I'd stop watching them.  Really.

[OutsiderFan]

Cal will NEVER play Fresno State in Fresno again because of how boorish their fans were the last time they were there. That also means Fresno State will probably never play Cal again unless in a Bowl Game. I know San Jose State fans have been a tad on the boorish side at Stanford games, but can't hold a candle to Fresno State. It is pretty sad though, that neither Cal or Stanford will play SJS or FSU any more in football it seems. Neither school wants to play at Cal or Stanford without a home game in return, and no way Cal and Stanford are going to play at SJS or Fresno. Perhaps Levi's Stadium, but no way at home.

Turning back to Super Regional and the series strategy... 

I agree it's unwise to match Stanford's best starter against MSU's best on Saturday. I would start the #3 in Game 1, #1 in Game 2, and #2 in Game 3. Basically play rope a dope in Game 1, then have the best guy in the most important game between the first two, and then you take your chances with your #2 in Game 3, knowing the best guy from MSU can probably come in for a couple innings if there is a Game 3.

Hey, GoDawgs, just an FYI: Stanford was 21-4 away from home this season. So don't expect a home field advantage (unless given by the umpiring crew). The better team will win period.

[OutsiderFan]

Cal will NEVER play Fresno State in Fresno again because of how boorish their fans were the last time they were there. That also means Fresno State will probably never play Cal again unless in a Bowl Game. I know San Jose State fans have been a tad on the boorish side at Stanford games, but can't hold a candle to Fresno State. It is pretty sad though, that neither Cal or Stanford will play SJS or FSU any more in football it seems. Neither school wants to play at Cal or Stanford without a home game in return, and no way Cal and Stanford are going to play at SJS or Fresno. Perhaps Levi's Stadium, but no way at home.

Turning back to Super Regional and the series strategy... 

I agree it's unwise to match Stanford's best starter against MSU's best on Saturday. I would start the #3 in Game 1, #1 in Game 2, and #2 in Game 3. Basically play rope a dope in Game 1, then have the best guy in the most important game between the first two, and then you take your chances with your #2 in Game 3, knowing the best guy from MSU can probably come in for a couple innings if there is a Game 3.

Hey, GoDawgs, just an FYI: Stanford was 21-4 away from home this season. So don't expect a home field advantage (unless given by the umpiring crew). The better team will win period.

[BostonCard]

thanks for the explanations. I think the second part of the explanation for me is that the water molecules are not simply added to the air molecules in a given volume of dry air; at the same temperature they are in place of them so the overall density is lighter.
Whatever the explanation, I'm all for it as long as we hit many more home runs than them, with a higher density of baserunners when we hit 'em.

Remember the universal gas law: pV = nRT, or rearranged n/V = p/RT, so that the number of moles per unit of volume equals atmospheric pressure over temperature (R is the universal gas constant).  Since mass is equal to n * MM where MM is the molecular weight of your gas, density will equal to n/V * MM, and since n/V is constant, the density of a gas at a given temperature and pressure is directly proportional to the gas’ molecular weight.

BC

[BostonCard]

thanks for the explanations. I think the second part of the explanation for me is that the water molecules are not simply added to the air molecules in a given volume of dry air; at the same temperature they are in place of them so the overall density is lighter.
Whatever the explanation, I'm all for it as long as we hit many more home runs than them, with a higher density of baserunners when we hit 'em.

Remember the universal gas law: pV = nRT, or rearranged n/V = p/RT, so that the number of moles per unit of volume equals atmospheric pressure over temperature (R is the universal gas constant).  Since mass is equal to n * MM where MM is the molecular weight of your gas, density will equal to n/V * MM, and since n/V is constant, the density of a gas at a given temperature and pressure is directly proportional to the gas’ molecular weight.

BC

[martyup]

Actually, golf balls float and the presence of water in the air makes them float farther and higher.  Also, heat rises and this also gives the balls uplift.  A scientist once lined a golf course with a massive misting system and loaded it with Brawndo, which has electrolytes.  The golf balls flew at least twice as far.

[martyup]

Actually, golf balls float and the presence of water in the air makes them float farther and higher.  Also, heat rises and this also gives the balls uplift.  A scientist once lined a golf course with a massive misting system and loaded it with Brawndo, which has electrolytes.  The golf balls flew at least twice as far.

[OutsiderFan]

Just based on the basic stats of IP, WHIP, ERA and record I’d go with the following Pitcher deployments:

Game 1: Palisch + Jensen
Game 2: Williams + Miller
Game 3: Beck + Matthiessen 

The first two eat innings to save the best arms for Game 2 and 3. Don’t deviate unless they do well and Stanford has a lead to protect after 6th inning. If so, all bets are off and use others as match-ups make sense.

[OutsiderFan]

Just based on the basic stats of IP, WHIP, ERA and record I’d go with the following Pitcher deployments:

Game 1: Palisch + Jensen
Game 2: Williams + Miller
Game 3: Beck + Matthiessen 

The first two eat innings to save the best arms for Game 2 and 3. Don’t deviate unless they do well and Stanford has a lead to protect after 6th inning. If so, all bets are off and use others as match-ups make sense.

[martyup]

What if the Bulldogs throw a head fake and keep their ace for the 2nd game?  Can our coach wait until game time to decide, or do rosters have to be submitted earlier?

[martyup]

What if the Bulldogs throw a head fake and keep their ace for the 2nd game?  Can our coach wait until game time to decide, or do rosters have to be submitted earlier?

[CTcard]

Just based on the basic stats of IP, WHIP, ERA and record I’d go with the following Pitcher deployments:

Game 1: Palisch + Jensen
Game 2: Williams + Miller
Game 3: Beck + Matthiessen 

The first two eat innings to save the best arms for Game 2 and 3. Don’t deviate unless they do well and Stanford has a lead to protect after 6th inning. If so, all bets are off and use others as match-ups make sense.

Hey, what happened to Weiermiller and Grech?

I assume you are suggesting this might be a clever idea, rather than suggesting it might happen. It won't.

Beck and Miller are our best starting pitchers. I don't think there is any way Esquer will go down without either of those starting a game. So, one of the two will start game 1, and if we lose the other will start game 2.

I'd also say that the result of baseball is random enough, i.e. the nominal better team fails to win often enough, that it would be a bad strategy to tank one game of a three game series for better nominal matchups in the others. That, plus good old tradition, means whichever game Beck or Miller doesn't start will have either Matthiessen (probably) or Williams start.

One interesting development is that our visiting friend has indicated that Mississippi State's star frosh pitcher Ginn may be hurt, ailing if not injured. I wouldn't believe that enough to set strategy, but it will be an issue to keep an eye upon.

[CTcard]

Just based on the basic stats of IP, WHIP, ERA and record I’d go with the following Pitcher deployments:

Game 1: Palisch + Jensen
Game 2: Williams + Miller
Game 3: Beck + Matthiessen 

The first two eat innings to save the best arms for Game 2 and 3. Don’t deviate unless they do well and Stanford has a lead to protect after 6th inning. If so, all bets are off and use others as match-ups make sense.

Hey, what happened to Weiermiller and Grech?

I assume you are suggesting this might be a clever idea, rather than suggesting it might happen. It won't.

Beck and Miller are our best starting pitchers. I don't think there is any way Esquer will go down without either of those starting a game. So, one of the two will start game 1, and if we lose the other will start game 2.

I'd also say that the result of baseball is random enough, i.e. the nominal better team fails to win often enough, that it would be a bad strategy to tank one game of a three game series for better nominal matchups in the others. That, plus good old tradition, means whichever game Beck or Miller doesn't start will have either Matthiessen (probably) or Williams start.

One interesting development is that our visiting friend has indicated that Mississippi State's star frosh pitcher Ginn may be hurt, ailing if not injured. I wouldn't believe that enough to set strategy, but it will be an issue to keep an eye upon.

[M T]

I am happy to defer to the engineers among us, but I believe density (of the fluid(air)) is only one factor affecting the drag on the baseball.  Viscosity also matters, so I thought I'd look at that.  

Density goes down as the humidity goes up (30deg C: 0%RH: 1.164  100%RH: 1.116 (down 0.41%).  units: Kg/m3
Density also goes down as the temperature goes up. (0% RH: 20deg C: 1.205; 30deg C: 1.164; 40 deg C: 1.127)
  For density, going from 30C 0%RH to 30C 100%RH is about the same as going from 30C 0%RH to 47C 0%RH

Viscosity also goes down as humidity goes up. (30deg C: 0% RH: 18.647; 92%: 18.569; down 0.42%)  units: 1e-??3?? Kg/m s
Viscosity goes up as the temperature goes up. (0% RH: 20deg C: 18.176; 30deg C 18.647; 40deg C: 19.111)
  For viscosity,  28C 0% RH is about the same as 30C 100% RH

NASA has a page on the drag on the baseball.
  https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airpla...ldrag.html
The drag coefficient (C_d) is generally inversely related to the Reynolds number
Per the NASA page, The equation for the Reynolds number is: Re = rho * V *  2 * b / mu
where rho is the air density , V is the velocity, b is the radius of the ball, and mu is the air viscosity.

At 30C, the Reynolds number would hardly change at all going from 0% to 100% RH.
RE(30C 0RH) * 0.9959/0.9958 = RE(30C 100RH)

The drag coefficient does change significantly when the flow of the air around the ball changes its nature (between laminar and turbulent).  This region is referred to as the drag crisis.  Unless the humidity changes the drag crisis significantly, it would seem the warmer temperatures would be a bigger effect than humidity on the ball's aerodynamics (when pitched & hit).

Links you may find interesting:
More on drag crisis in baseball. (suggested reading)
Aerodynamics of baseball.
In situ measurements of drag on sports balls.
A study of baseball and softball aerodynamics.
Effect of air on pitches.
NASA's baseball pages.

[M T]

I am happy to defer to the engineers among us, but I believe density (of the fluid(air)) is only one factor affecting the drag on the baseball.  Viscosity also matters, so I thought I'd look at that.  

Density goes down as the humidity goes up (30deg C: 0%RH: 1.164  100%RH: 1.116 (down 0.41%).  units: Kg/m3
Density also goes down as the temperature goes up. (0% RH: 20deg C: 1.205; 30deg C: 1.164; 40 deg C: 1.127)
  For density, going from 30C 0%RH to 30C 100%RH is about the same as going from 30C 0%RH to 47C 0%RH

Viscosity also goes down as humidity goes up. (30deg C: 0% RH: 18.647; 92%: 18.569; down 0.42%)  units: 1e-??3?? Kg/m s
Viscosity goes up as the temperature goes up. (0% RH: 20deg C: 18.176; 30deg C 18.647; 40deg C: 19.111)
  For viscosity,  28C 0% RH is about the same as 30C 100% RH

NASA has a page on the drag on the baseball.
  https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airpla...ldrag.html
The drag coefficient (C_d) is generally inversely related to the Reynolds number
Per the NASA page, The equation for the Reynolds number is: Re = rho * V *  2 * b / mu
where rho is the air density , V is the velocity, b is the radius of the ball, and mu is the air viscosity.

At 30C, the Reynolds number would hardly change at all going from 0% to 100% RH.
RE(30C 0RH) * 0.9959/0.9958 = RE(30C 100RH)

The drag coefficient does change significantly when the flow of the air around the ball changes its nature (between laminar and turbulent).  This region is referred to as the drag crisis.  Unless the humidity changes the drag crisis significantly, it would seem the warmer temperatures would be a bigger effect than humidity on the ball's aerodynamics (when pitched & hit).

Links you may find interesting:
More on drag crisis in baseball. (suggested reading)
Aerodynamics of baseball.
In situ measurements of drag on sports balls.
A study of baseball and softball aerodynamics.
Effect of air on pitches.
NASA's baseball pages.

[CTcard]

I am happy to defer to the engineers among us, but I believe density (of the fluid(air)) is only one factor affecting the drag on the baseball.  Viscosity also matters, so I thought I'd look at that.  

Density goes down as the humidity goes up (30deg C: 0%RH: 1.164  100%RH: 1.116 (down 0.41%).  units: Kg/m3
Density also goes down as the temperature goes up. (0% RH: 20deg C: 1.205; 30deg C: 1.164; 40 deg C: 1.127)
  For density, going from 30C 0%RH to 30C 100%RH is about the same as going from 30C 0%RH to 47C 0%RH

Viscosity also goes down as humidity goes up. (30deg C: 0% RH: 18.647; 92%: 18.569; down 0.42%)  units: 1e-??3?? Kg/m s
Viscosity goes up as the temperature goes up. (0% RH: 20deg C: 18.176; 30deg C 18.647; 40deg C: 19.111)
  For viscosity,  28C 0% RH is about the same as 30C 100% RH

NASA has a page on the drag on the baseball.
  https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airpla...ldrag.html
The drag coefficient (C_d) is generally inversely related to the Reynolds number
Per the NASA page, The equation for the Reynolds number is: Re = rho * V *  2 * b / mu
where rho is the air density , V is the velocity, b is the radius of the ball, and mu is the air viscosity.

At 30C, the Reynolds number would hardly change at all going from 0% to 100% RH.
RE(30C 0RH) * 0.9959/0.9958 = RE(30C 100RH)

... Unless the humidity changes the drag crisis significantly, it would seem the warmer temperatures would be a bigger effect than humidity on the ball's aerodynamics (when pitched & hit).

Surprised myself that I haven't chimed in previously as I am one of a couple of resident physicists on this board.

Friction/drag is a complicated subject that tends to not lend itself to clean mathematics. 
That NASA page sure doesn't clear much up, in my opinion.

Yes, temperature and humidity both affect air density (and viscosity) but so does atmospheric pressure. My back of the envelope calculation roughly matched yours that temperature would be a much bigger effect than humidity, with pressure inbetween.


However, the actual temperature differernce between Starkville and Palo Alto on an early June day is unlikely to be large, and at least this coming Saturday Palo Alto is forecast to be 4 degrees warmer. However, pressure will be a solid 0.3 inches of Hg lower in Starkville and humidity will be about 20-30% higher (right now it's only 13% higher in Starkville, and I cannot find a humidity forecast).

I'd guess the biggest difference from Palo Alto on the ball carrying would be the pressure.

-------------
Here is a NASA page where you can download an ap to simulate the flight of a hit baseball under different weather conditions.
https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/Intera...sdown.html
(scroll to "HitModeler Weather" about 2/3rds of the way down)

It may be fun to play with, but I would be suspicious of its accuracy until proven. Drag is hard to model well.

[CTcard]

I am happy to defer to the engineers among us, but I believe density (of the fluid(air)) is only one factor affecting the drag on the baseball.  Viscosity also matters, so I thought I'd look at that.  

Density goes down as the humidity goes up (30deg C: 0%RH: 1.164  100%RH: 1.116 (down 0.41%).  units: Kg/m3
Density also goes down as the temperature goes up. (0% RH: 20deg C: 1.205; 30deg C: 1.164; 40 deg C: 1.127)
  For density, going from 30C 0%RH to 30C 100%RH is about the same as going from 30C 0%RH to 47C 0%RH

Viscosity also goes down as humidity goes up. (30deg C: 0% RH: 18.647; 92%: 18.569; down 0.42%)  units: 1e-??3?? Kg/m s
Viscosity goes up as the temperature goes up. (0% RH: 20deg C: 18.176; 30deg C 18.647; 40deg C: 19.111)
  For viscosity,  28C 0% RH is about the same as 30C 100% RH

NASA has a page on the drag on the baseball.
  https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airpla...ldrag.html
The drag coefficient (C_d) is generally inversely related to the Reynolds number
Per the NASA page, The equation for the Reynolds number is: Re = rho * V *  2 * b / mu
where rho is the air density , V is the velocity, b is the radius of the ball, and mu is the air viscosity.

At 30C, the Reynolds number would hardly change at all going from 0% to 100% RH.
RE(30C 0RH) * 0.9959/0.9958 = RE(30C 100RH)

... Unless the humidity changes the drag crisis significantly, it would seem the warmer temperatures would be a bigger effect than humidity on the ball's aerodynamics (when pitched & hit).

Surprised myself that I haven't chimed in previously as I am one of a couple of resident physicists on this board.

Friction/drag is a complicated subject that tends to not lend itself to clean mathematics. 
That NASA page sure doesn't clear much up, in my opinion.

Yes, temperature and humidity both affect air density (and viscosity) but so does atmospheric pressure. My back of the envelope calculation roughly matched yours that temperature would be a much bigger effect than humidity, with pressure inbetween.


However, the actual temperature differernce between Starkville and Palo Alto on an early June day is unlikely to be large, and at least this coming Saturday Palo Alto is forecast to be 4 degrees warmer. However, pressure will be a solid 0.3 inches of Hg lower in Starkville and humidity will be about 20-30% higher (right now it's only 13% higher in Starkville, and I cannot find a humidity forecast).

I'd guess the biggest difference from Palo Alto on the ball carrying would be the pressure.

-------------
Here is a NASA page where you can download an ap to simulate the flight of a hit baseball under different weather conditions.
https://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/Intera...sdown.html
(scroll to "HitModeler Weather" about 2/3rds of the way down)

It may be fun to play with, but I would be suspicious of its accuracy until proven. Drag is hard to model well.

[MSUDAWG]

My other big wish:
That the Mississippi State fans
behave much better than Fresno State's.

But is anyone here,
in all your Stanford fandom experience,
aware of worse fans than Fresno State's?

If all college games were like those three,
I'd stop watching them.  Really.

MSU fan here. I think you will find our fanbase is a really classy bunch. The folks grilling in the outfield regularly offer opposing outfielders a bite to eat and CMU players were mingling in the fans in the outfield seats and were treated like family during the regional. Miami manager also spoke very highly of how well they were treated. I am looking forward to a great Super Regional and I hope all who are traveling have a safe trip over. I hope the rain holds off enough to make the trip more enjoyable.

[MSUDAWG]

My other big wish:
That the Mississippi State fans
behave much better than Fresno State's.

But is anyone here,
in all your Stanford fandom experience,
aware of worse fans than Fresno State's?

If all college games were like those three,
I'd stop watching them.  Really.

MSU fan here. I think you will find our fanbase is a really classy bunch. The folks grilling in the outfield regularly offer opposing outfielders a bite to eat and CMU players were mingling in the fans in the outfield seats and were treated like family during the regional. Miami manager also spoke very highly of how well they were treated. I am looking forward to a great Super Regional and I hope all who are traveling have a safe trip over. I hope the rain holds off enough to make the trip more enjoyable.

[Hulk01]

I have fond memories of my experiences in Mississippi,
as gracious a group of hosts, men and women,
as I worked with in my career.

The legacy of the Southern Gentleman perhaps.

And I appreciate your post
and reading your observations about your beloved Dawgs.

And the final 16 gives ample evidence
of the superiority of Southern baseball;
eleven of those teams from the SEC or ACC.
If we aspire to national championships,
we need to raise our game or the game
will get away from us.

[Hulk01]

I have fond memories of my experiences in Mississippi,
as gracious a group of hosts, men and women,
as I worked with in my career.

The legacy of the Southern Gentleman perhaps.

And I appreciate your post
and reading your observations about your beloved Dawgs.

And the final 16 gives ample evidence
of the superiority of Southern baseball;
eleven of those teams from the SEC or ACC.
If we aspire to national championships,
we need to raise our game or the game
will get away from us.

[magnus]

If it's going to be hot and humid at gametime, that's likely going to be worth an extra run or two for MSU just because our players are likely accustomed to the dry CA weather.  Are any of our pitchers from hot and humid locales?

Hopefully they bring along whatever they can to combat/offset the weather conditions.

[magnus]

If it's going to be hot and humid at gametime, that's likely going to be worth an extra run or two for MSU just because our players are likely accustomed to the dry CA weather.  Are any of our pitchers from hot and humid locales?

Hopefully they bring along whatever they can to combat/offset the weather conditions.

[StanfordMatt]

If it's going to be hot and humid at gametime, that's likely going to be worth an extra run or two for MSU just because our players are likely accustomed to the dry CA weather.  Are any of our pitchers from hot and humid locales?

Hopefully they bring along whatever they can to combat/offset the weather conditions.

Tallahassee's heat and humidity was worth about 17 runs in 2012. Only half joking. Over the past decade, we've performed notoriously poorly in Super Regionals in hot and humid conditions (Tallahassee, Nashville, Chapel Hill) but none of the current roster was on those teams so it's not fair to put that burden on them.

Our starting pitchers from weekend series during the regular season are from California (Beck), Oregon (Matthiessen) and Missouri (Miller) so nothing really comparable to Mississippi. At the end of the day, though, it'll be about the team's mental toughness. I'm cautiously optimistic because this group has persevered through some hostile conditions in the past - last year's series at Arizona in particular comes to mind - not to mention the adversity they faced just this past weekend. Of course, nothing they've faced in the past three/four years will compare to the raucous environment of a sellout crowd in Starkvegas. We shall find out soon enough.

[StanfordMatt]

If it's going to be hot and humid at gametime, that's likely going to be worth an extra run or two for MSU just because our players are likely accustomed to the dry CA weather.  Are any of our pitchers from hot and humid locales?

Hopefully they bring along whatever they can to combat/offset the weather conditions.

Tallahassee's heat and humidity was worth about 17 runs in 2012. Only half joking. Over the past decade, we've performed notoriously poorly in Super Regionals in hot and humid conditions (Tallahassee, Nashville, Chapel Hill) but none of the current roster was on those teams so it's not fair to put that burden on them.

Our starting pitchers from weekend series during the regular season are from California (Beck), Oregon (Matthiessen) and Missouri (Miller) so nothing really comparable to Mississippi. At the end of the day, though, it'll be about the team's mental toughness. I'm cautiously optimistic because this group has persevered through some hostile conditions in the past - last year's series at Arizona in particular comes to mind - not to mention the adversity they faced just this past weekend. Of course, nothing they've faced in the past three/four years will compare to the raucous environment of a sellout crowd in Starkvegas. We shall find out soon enough.