How would you estimate the average force applied on a baseball during the action of pitching the ball (mass of ball is between 142g and 149g and the initial velocity of the ball is 0m/s).

1. Estimate the time the ball is in contact with the bat.
2. Estimate the speed the ball leaves the bat.

Then use the formula:

F = \frac{dp}{dt}

where dp is the change in momentum (product of mass and velocity).
where dt is the change in time.

EDIT: As says the comment of jcaron2, switch the 'bat' with the 'arm/hand'.

Except substitute the pitcher's arm in place of the bat, since the question was about pitching, not hitting. But that's just semantics; the formula is the same either way.

Hm... I need to put that word in my vocabulary, sorry for the misunderstanding and thanks jcaron2 for pointing it out :o

Okay, the pitcher is the one who throws the ball with the 'giant glove' got it.

In case the OP is not familiar with calculus - the impulse/momentum equation equation can be expressed as:


F \Delta t = m \Delta v

or


F = m \frac {\Delta v} {\Delta t}