A baseball travelling at 105 mph creates a turbulent boundary layer. Drag decellerates the ball rapidly: $F_d = \frac{1}{2} \rho v^2 C_d A$. Without aerodynamic air resistance, a 105 mph hit at 27° would travel over 720 feet; in atmospheric air density, air resistance cuts carry down to 400–415 feet.
Backspin compresses air underneath the baseball and accelerates airflow over the top, generating vertical lift: $F_L = \frac{1}{2} \rho v^2 C_L A$. At 2,200 rpm, this upward force counters gravity for nearly two seconds of flight, extending hang time and adding 30 to 45 feet of total fence-clearing distance.
A ball is officially "Barreled" when exit velocity is at least 98 mph and launch angle falls within 26°–30°. For every mph increase above 98 mph, the acceptable launch angle range expands. Barreled balls produce a minimum .500 batting average and 1.500 slugging percentage.