16 ft/sec is the speed of the ball, not the velocity. Here's why:

* Speed is how fast an object is moving. It's a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude (e.g., 16 ft/sec).

* Velocity is how fast an object is moving *and* in what direction. It's a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction (e.g., 16 ft/sec to the east).

To get the velocity, you need to know the direction the ball is thrown.

For example:

* Velocity of the ball thrown 16 ft/sec east: 16 ft/sec east

* Velocity of the ball thrown 16 ft/sec upwards: 16 ft/sec upwards

Let me know if you want to know the velocity of the ball in a specific direction!