However, the deviation from the ideal isn't large. The flats currently used appear to be about 0.04 inch too narrow at the waist and 0.04 inch too long. Interestingly, though the analysis points to a ball with an average radius of 1.584 inches, the measured radius of a real baseball is 1.452 inches. However, it is modern computational tools that allow the mathematics to be of real use in the design process. Designing a baseball cover.
Comments are welcome.
Ivars Peterson is the mathematics and physics writer and on-line editor at Science News. A Mathematical Safari by Ivars Peterson.