Final answer:
The pitcher's shortened stride and uncoupled kinetic chain result in decreased velocity due to increased energy dissipation from an inefficient kinetic chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is about the impact of a pitcher shortening his stride and uncoupling the kinetic chain at his hips during a pitch in a baseball game. Answer C is the correct choice: It will decrease the velocity of the pitch as a result of the increased energy being dissipated during the follow-through from the inefficient kinetic chain. The kinetic chain refers to the sequence of body movements during a pitch, starting with the legs and hips, going through the torso, and ending with the arm and hand. If the pitcher shortens his stride and uncouples at the hips, the seamless transfer of energy from the legs and body through to the arm and hand is disrupted, and this can lead to a less efficient and weaker pitch.
This inefficiency is due to the kinetic energy that should be transferred to the ball instead being dispersed in the form of other energies, such as thermal energy, or simply not being fully utilized due to a lack of coordination in the kinetic chain. Therefore, the velocity of the pitch decreases, but there's also an increased risk of shoulder injury, as the arm might overcompensate for the loss of energy from the lower body, though the provided options did not focus on potential injuries.