trampoline effect
n.— «Wood bat advocates are concerned that balls hit off metal bats are subject to what is known as a trampoline effect: When a ball hits a wooden bat, the ball compresses at the instant of impact and loses much of its energy. With a metal bat, the barrel is compressed by the ball. The bat can act like a spring or trampoline in driving the ball, which loses less energy.» —“Dealing with a batty situation: Wood vs. metal” by Jack Carey USA Today June 3, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
Residents of Martha’s Vineyard look forward each year to the arrival of pinkletinks, little frogs that herald the arrival of spring. Elsewhere, they’re called spring peepers, tinkletoes, and pink-winks. This is part of a complete episode...