The size design considerations for PVC baseball suitable for beginners
The core demands of beginners using PVC baseballs are to reduce the difficulty of hitting, enhance control, and ensure safety. The goal of “easy to handle and low risk” should be achieved through the optimization of size, weight, and material. The following analysis is conducted from three dimensions: technical parameters, application scenarios, and security design:
1. Diameter design: Reduce the size to lower the difficulty of hitting
Recommended diameter range: 6.8 cm to 7.0 cm
Logical explanation:
Standard comparison: The diameter of a traditional baseball is approximately 7.2 to 7.3 centimeters. Beginners, due to unstable grip and unskilled batting movements, are prone to the risk of “missing the ball” or “dropping the hand”.
Shrinking advantage: The volume of the sphere with a diameter of 6.8-7.0 centimeters is reduced by approximately 10%-15%. When hitting, the contact area is more concentrated, making it easier to control the direction. It is suitable for children or adults who are not proficient in movements.
Case:
A certain youth baseball club conducts enlightenment training through a 6.8-centimeter diameter ball. The hit rate of the trainees has increased by approximately 25%, and the error rate has decreased by 18%.
2. Weight optimization: Lightweight design reduces impact fatigue
Recommended weight range: 80 grams to 100 grams
Logical explanation:
Standard comparison: The weight of a traditional baseball is approximately 142 to 149 grams. Beginners may experience “weak hitting” or “arm fatigue” due to insufficient strength or non-standard movements.
Lightweight advantages:
The weight of an 80-100 gram ball is reduced by approximately 30% to 45%, lowering the force required for hitting the ball. It is suitable for children or female learners.
Reduce the rebound force caused by hitting mistakes (such as the impact force when the ball hits the body), and lower the risk of injury.
Scene adaptation
Children’s Enlightenment: 80-90 gram balls are suitable for children aged 5 to 12 to prevent arm fatigue caused by the weight of the balls.
Adult basic training: 90-100 grams of ball is suitable for adults who are not proficient in movements, gradually adapting to the hitting force.
3. Materials and Structure: Enhance safety and durability
Material selection:
Foamed PVC: Density 0.6-0.8 grams per cubic centimeter. Hardness is reduced through micro-cell foaming technology (Shore hardness ≤60A), reducing the impact force when hitting the ball.
Soft composite layer: The outer layer is made of PVC+TPU composite material, and the inner layer is filled with EVA foam to enhance the buffering performance and prevent the ball from being too hard and causing injury.
Structural design
Surface anti-slip treatment: Add concave-convex texture or silicone coating to enhance grip stability and reduce the risk of dropping when hitting the ball.
Low rebound design: By adjusting the material formula (such as increasing the foaming ratio), the ball’s rebound coefficient is controlled below 0.4 (the standard baseball’s rebound coefficient is approximately 0.55), reducing the flight distance and speed after hitting the ball.
4. Scene adaptation: Select the size based on the training objective
Children’s enlightenment scene:
Recommended size: Diameter 6.8 cm, weight 80-90 grams.
Design logic: Ultra-lightweight design reduces the difficulty of hitting the ball. Combined with interesting patterns or fluorescent coatings, it enhances the appeal. It is suitable for baseball initiation courses in kindergartens or primary schools.
Adult basic training scenarios:
Recommended size: Diameter 7.0 cm, weight 90-100 grams.
Design logic: Close to the size and weight of a standard ball, but with a lightweight design to lower the hitting threshold, it is suitable for adult beginners or amateurs.
Family entertainment scene:
Recommended size: Diameter 6.8-7.0 cm, weight 80-90 grams.
Design logic: The small-sized ball reduces space occupation and is suitable for use in courtyards or indoors, lowering the risk of accidental injury when hitting the ball.
5. User feedback and optimization directions
Security Enhancement
Users generally report that “lightweight spheres are prone to being accidentally hit to high places”, and it is suggested to increase the surface friction of the spheres (such as by using a frosted treatment) or reduce the rebound coefficient (such as by adjusting the material formula).
Enhancement of fun
Some users have expressed their hope to increase the visibility of the ball. Fluorescent color coatings or luminous materials can be used to enhance indoor visibility and reduce the risk of accidental strikes.
Portability optimization
To address the issue of “inconvenient storage”, a compressible sphere (such as an inflatable PVC baseball) or a matching storage net bag can be designed to enhance the user experience.