Baseball Physics Test

A baseball game is tied in the bottom of the 9th inning. A hit to the outfield is relayed to the shortstop who throws to home where a base runner is sliding in hopes of scoring the winning run. The pitcher is backing up the catcher, when suddenly someone yells out “oh, no a baby has fallen.” The pitcher looks up and sees that a baby has fallen from the bleachers onto the netting and is sliding towards the pitcher. The pitcher catches the baby.

Considering the height and rate of descent from the bleachers to the netting followed by calculating the speed of which the baby slid down the netting followed by the height and speed of the fall into the pitcher’s arms, the most critical piece of information one needs to know in calculating the result of this event is the following: Was the runner safe at home?