Playing a game of catch with your household is a fun way to get fresh air. May we suggest the Wiffle Ball?

Invented in 1953, this lightweight alternative to a baseball is better suited for backyards then sports stadiums. And the design of the Wiffle Ball guarantees that you don’t need a strong arm to throw a variety of pitches.

But how does that happen? Jenn Stroud Rossman, mechanical engineering professor at Lafayette College, tells Short Wave reporter Emily Kwong and host Maddie Sofia about the surprising science behind the Wiffle Ball’s wicked curve.

Short Wave Podcast

It’s science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join host Maddie Sofia for science on a different wavelength.