How long does it take a 70 mph fastball to reach the plate?

A 70 mph fastball takes roughly 0.55 to 0.6 seconds to reach home plate from the standard 60 feet, 6 inches distance, though the exact time varies slightly based on release point, with some calculations putting it closer to 0.59 seconds, giving batters a tiny window to react.

How long does it take a 70 mph fastball to reach the home plate?

A 70 mph fastball takes approximately 0.59 seconds to reach home plate from the pitcher's release, though factoring in the release point's forward motion shortens this slightly, giving batters around half a second to react, highlighting how little time they have to judge and swing. 

How fast is a 70mph softball pitch in baseball?

A 70 mph softball pitch is like facing a baseball pitch over 100 mph because the shorter softball pitching distance (43 feet vs. 60.5 feet) gives the batter significantly less reaction time, often under 0.4 seconds, similar to an MLB batter facing a blazing fastball, making it incredibly challenging despite the slower listed speed. 

How fast is 60 mph from 46 feet?

60 mph from 46 feet (often seen in youth/softball) feels much faster, like a ~79-80 mph baseball pitch from 60.5 feet, because the shorter distance drastically cuts reaction time; it's equivalent to a fast pitch, giving a hitter significantly less time to see the ball and swing effectively, akin to a hard-throwing teenager in baseball. 

What pitch is banned in MLB?

A spitball is a now-illegal baseball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of a foreign substance such as saliva or petroleum jelly. This technique alters the wind resistance and weight on one side of the ball, causing it to move in an atypical manner.

David Fry Takes 99 MPH Fastball to the Face, Skubal in Shock😳

Who threw a 106 mph pitch?

15 Years ago today, Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch in MLB history. Officially recorded at 105.8 mph, don't blink or you will miss it. Chapman is currently in his 16th year of his career, and rumor has it he just started locating his fastball this year. Sheesh.

Does anyone wear 69 in the MLB?

Yes, players do wear #69 in MLB, though it's quite rare, with only a couple dozen players ever using it, often pitchers; recent examples include AJ Blubaugh (2025) and Francisco Morales (2022) for the Phillies, but it's not a common or long-term number for most, with Bronson Arroyo being a notable exception for wearing it for multiple seasons with the Pirates early in his career. 

Did Nolan Ryan throw a 108 mph pitch?

No, Nolan Ryan didn't officially throw 108 mph, but his famous 100.9 mph pitch from 1974, when recalculated with modern technology measuring release speed, is estimated to have been around 108 mph, making it a legendary, though technically unofficial, feat. The 100.9 mph was measured near the plate with older tech; current methods measure closer to the mound where the ball is fastest, explaining the significant difference and why he's still considered one of baseball's hardest throwers.
 

Is throwing 70 mph at 14 good?

The faster you throw, the less time that a hitter must evaluate and react to your fastball. An above average 14U pitcher throws approximately 70 mph and the hitter has only 0.59 seconds to react. An outstanding pitcher throws 75 mph and the hitter has 0.55 seconds to react.

How fast is 70 mph at a D-bat?

Our baseball and softball pitching machines are each set up 43' from home plate (which means that our 70MPH setting is roughly the equivalent of reacting to a 105MPH fastball from 60 feet 6 inches).

Who threw 78 mph softball?

Tennessee's Karlyn Pickens set the record for the fastest pitch ever thrown in NCAA softball history on March 24, 2025. In a 3-2 win over Arkansas, Pickens delivered a 78.2 mph pitch in the sixth inning. It was called a strike, right at the knees.

What's harder to hit, softball or baseball?

It's a classic debate, but many sources argue hitting a softball is scientifically harder due to the pitcher's closer release point (around 43 ft vs. 60.5 ft in baseball), drastically reducing reaction time (around 350ms vs. 400ms), forcing batters to process pitch speed, spin, and location in a tiny window, plus the unique rise of the underhand windmill pitch. Baseball involves faster overall speeds and longer distances, but softball's compressed time and unique movement make it uniquely challenging for even baseball pros to adjust to, say Bruce Bolt Blog, SWOSU Digital Commons. 

Who threw a 104 mph pitch?

Mason Miller is the new No. 1 flamethrower in recorded postseason history. Miller struck out the Cubs' Carson Kelly with a 104.5 mph fastball in the bottom of the seventh inning during the Padres' 3-0 win in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.

How fast is 70 mph in softball to baseball?

A 70 mph softball pitch is like facing a baseball pitch over 100 mph because the shorter softball pitching distance (43 feet vs. 60.5 feet) gives the batter significantly less reaction time, often under 0.4 seconds, similar to an MLB batter facing a blazing fastball, making it incredibly challenging despite the slower listed speed. 

Can anyone throw 80 mph?

Throwing a baseball hard is much more about technique than pure strength. There are physiological traits that might help, like exceedingly long arms, but with training, lots of folks can hit 80.

How far should a 14-year-old be able to hit a baseball?

A 14-year-old baseball player typically hits the ball 250-300 feet, though this varies greatly with skill, bat type (USSSA bats go further than USA bats), strength, and technique, with good players often reaching 300+ feet and elite players even further, aiming for 70-80+ mph exit velocity (the speed off the bat) to achieve these distances. 

Can a 12 year old throw 90 mph?

A 12 year old can't throw a 90 mph pitch. The average 12 year old can throw between 50 mph and 55 mph, with especially proficient baseball players throwing pitches up to 70 mph.

What is the average fastball for D1?

The average Division 1 (D1) fastball velocity is around 89-90 mph, but this varies significantly, with most pitchers sitting in the 88-92 mph range, while elite pitchers at top programs often average 93+ mph, hitting 95+ mph, says Velo University, Oreate AI, and The Washington Post. Lower-level D1 schools might expect mid-to-upper 80s, while Power 4 conference teams often require 90+ mph sitting velocity, notes Go Big Recruiting and Substack, Instagram, YouTube.

How fast should a 17 year old pitch?

A 17-year-old pitcher's speed varies, but average varsity baseball pitchers often throw in the 75-85 mph range, with top players reaching the high 80s or even breaking 90 mph, while elite softball pitchers might average 57-65 mph, with strong pitchers hitting 70+ mph. Speed depends heavily on physical maturity, training, and level (varsity vs. travel), with larger, stronger players generally throwing harder.
 

Who threw a 110 mph pitch?

When the White Sox acquired Michael Kopech from the Red Sox in December, they knew they were getting one of the Minor Leagues' hardest-throwing pitchers.

What is the rarest pitch in baseball?

The rarest pitches in baseball are often considered the Eephus (a high-floating, slow lob) and the Screwball, though pitches like the Gyroball and unique variations like Kouji Uehara's "Ghost Fork" or Kirby Yates' Splitter also qualify due to their scarcity and distinctiveness, making them tough for hitters to time. While the Eephus is famous for its slow speed and the Screwball for its reverse break, the true "rarest" can vary, but these pitches are all exceptionally uncommon in modern MLB. 

Who got 6 hits off Nolan Ryan in one inning?

31 years ago, on August 4, 1993 Robin Ventura became the only major league baseball player to ever get six hits in one inning. The hits were administered by 46-year-old Texan Nolan Ryan, who was 20 years older than Ventura.

What MLB player has autism?

While no prominent current MLB star is openly identified with autism, Tarik El-Abour is recognized as the first professional baseball player with autism, signing a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals in 2018, and Jim Eisenreich is a notable former MLB player with Asperger's (an autism spectrum disorder) who overcame significant challenges to have a successful career, including pitching a no-hitter for the Yankees. El-Abour's journey highlights how autism's focus on repetition can align with baseball skills, while Eisenreich's story shows overcoming tics from Tourette's and Asperger's.
 

What number is not allowed in baseball?

Jackie Robinson and number 42

The #42 cannot be issued by any team, having been retired in honor of Jackie Robinson. Those wearing the number upon its league-wide retirement, such as Mo Vaughn of the Boston Red Sox and Butch Huskey of the New York Mets, were allowed to keep it under a grandfather clause.

Is Rickey Hill a real baseball player?

Yes, Rickey Hill was a real professional baseball player who had a four-year career in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) for the Montreal Expos organization after overcoming severe physical challenges from a degenerative spinal disease that required him to wear leg braces as a child. His inspiring story, particularly his powerful hitting despite his condition, is the basis for the 2023 biographical movie The Hill, starring Dennis Quaid.