Shape Optimization of a Wooden Baseball Bat Using Parametric Modeling and Genetic Algorithms

Baseball is a popular and very lucrative bat-and-ball sport that uses wooden bat to score runs. We hypothesize new design features for baseball bats will emerge from their shape optimization using parametric modeling genetic algorithms. converge the location of two points on made maple (Acer sp.) ash (Fraxinus wood are associated with increased velocity ball rebounding off bat: vibrational nodal center percussion (COP). Our approach was able reduce distance between COP 166.0 mm 52.1 mm. This change similar in both species resulted changes geometry bat, specifically shifting mass toward barrel removing end barrel. conclude combination finite element algorithms powerful tool exploring virtual designs based performance criteria suggest our could be realized practice subtractive manufacturing technology.