Civic Theatre of Allentown Allentown, PA
Dr. Gary DeLeo
Professor of Physics, Lehigh University
Field of Dreams— The Physics of Baseball
Program Description
Dr. Gary DeLeo presented on the physics of baseball.
Presented At
Civic Theatre of Allentown Allentown, PA
Film Synopsis
An Iowa corn farmer, hearing voices, interprets them as a command to build a baseball diamond in his fields; he does, and the Chicago White Sox come.
"If you build it, he will come."
That's the ethereal message that inspires Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), with the support of his wife, Annie (Amy Madigan), to construct a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield. Soon, the ghosts of great players start emerging from the crops to play ball, led by "Shoeless" Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta). When the voices continue, Ray seeks out reclusive author Terence Mann (James Earl Jones) to help him understand the meaning of the messages and the importance the field.
About the Speaker
Dr. Gary G. DeLeo has been a professor in the Department of Physics at Lehigh University for over 30 years. He has served as associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, and chair and associate chair of Physics. Professor DeLeo’s early research was in the field of theoretical solid state physics, primarily studying atomic imperfections in otherwise perfect semiconductor crystals. His passion for astronomy, a field he followed closely for over 40 years, led to his change in research to astrophysics, where he currently studies binary stars. For 20 years, Professor DeLeo has directed considerable attention to precollege science outreach and teacher training in science. He has presented about 800 science outreach programs since October 2003, and many others prior to 2003. He is the recipient of seven awards and honors for excellence in teaching and outreach.