That's due to the spin of the ball. Curve balls are thrown with topspin so the top of the ball rotates in the direction of flight. When hit by the bat and thrown into reverse, curve balls automatically have backspin which gives them lift and carries them further. Fastballs are thrown out with backspin, so they spin the other way when hit, have less lift and sink faster.
To generate more backspin, the batter should hit the ball a bit below the center, although it's unlikely batters have much time to think about that, Hubbard said.
a ball hit at a 45 degree angle would travel the farthest. This is true if there is no wind or the air is not a factor. But the best angle to hit the ball with air as a factor is 39 degrees.
When a pitcher lets go of a ball at their head, the ball usually comes in at a 10 degree downward angle. The best way to hit this ball is to use a 10 degree uppercut swing path with the bat.