Ep 14. Baseball Myths

In season 5 episode 14 of Mythbusters, the team takes on a classic American game: baseball. The episode explores various myths and legends surrounding the sport, from whether or not a baseball can be hit out of the park with a rocket launcher, to whether it's possible to hit a ball out of the infield with a flimsy wiffle ball bat.

The first myth tested is the rocket launcher theory. The team constructs a homemade rocket launcher, capable of shooting at high speeds and with great force. They test it out by attempting to launch a baseball out of a ballpark. But will the explosive power of the rocket be enough to send the ball soaring over the fence? The team conducts several tests, adjusting the angle and velocity of the rocket launcher, before finally finding success.

Next up, the team turns their attention to wiffle ball bats. Many people believe that these lightweight, plastic bats are incapable of hitting a baseball with any real power or distance. But the Mythbusters are determined to prove them wrong. They set up experiments to test the durability and strength of the wiffle ball bat, before finally taking it out onto the field to see how far they can hit a baseball with it. The results are surprising, and challenge conventional wisdom when it comes to using the right equipment for the game.

Another myth explored in the episode is the idea of catching a fly ball while leaning over the outfield wall. The team sets up a mock ballpark, complete with outfield wall and towering fence. They then test the limits of human capability by having one member try to catch a fly ball while leaning over the wall, with the other members launching balls in his direction from various distances and angles. The experiment tests both the physical ability and the mental focus required in order to make the catch.

Finally, the episode takes on the classic myth of whether or not a baseball can be hit so hard that it bursts into flames. The Mythbusters build a machine capable of launching a baseball at incredibly high speeds, and test its impact on various objects, from concrete blocks to a watermelon. But will the baseball survive the impact? And if so, how fast will it need to go in order to burst into flames? The team conducts multiple tests, adjusting the velocity and angle of the machine, before finally getting the answer they were looking for.

Throughout the episode, the Mythbusters use innovative and inventive techniques to test various baseball myths and legends, demonstrating the curious and creative spirit that has made the show so enduringly popular over the years. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the game or just looking for something fun and interesting to watch, Mythbusters season 5 episode 14 is sure to provide both entertainment and education.