Is it possible to hit a 100 mph fastball?

Yes, it's possible to hit a 100 mph fastball, but it's extremely difficult, even for professional baseball players, requiring incredible reflexes, vision, and timing, as the ball travels from pitcher to plate in under 400 milliseconds, leaving only about 100-150ms to identify and swing at it; however, a straight, flat 100 mph fastball is easier to hit than a slower pitch with movement, and elite hitters often look for it, relying on instinct and extensive practice.


How rare is a 100MPH fastball?

Just how rare is it to see a pitcher throw 100 mph in a pro game? It's still not common, but it's not nearly as rare as it was just a few years ago. In 2025, we tracked 140 pitchers who threw 100 mph in a MiLB game, as well as 82 MLB pitchers who hit the century mark.

What pitch is banned in MLB?

The primary banned pitches in MLB involve doctoring the ball with foreign substances (like Vaseline, spit, or pine tar), defacing the ball (emery balls), or applying substances to create a "puff" effect, all outlawed in 1920, though the recent crackdown focuses on sticky substances for spin enhancement. Additionally, specific pitching actions like the "quick pitch" (pitching before the batter is ready) and certain delivery mechanics, such as Carter Capps' "crow hop," are illegal.
 


Did Nolan Ryan throw a 108 mph fastball?

Nolan Ryan officially threw 100.9 mph in 1974, a Guinness World Record, but modern analysis suggests that pitch, measured at release point, would have been around 108 mph, making it arguably the fastest ever, though this speed is an estimate based on re-evaluating old technology, not an official measurement from his time. The difference comes from how speeds were recorded: his 100.9 mph was clocked 10 feet from home plate, while today's measurement is at the pitcher's release, leading to higher numbers for old pitches due to less wind resistance. 

Who threw 106 mph baseball?

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.


The Science Of Hitting A Major League Fastball



Who threw 104 mph fastball?

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.

What is the rarest pitch in baseball?

The rarest pitches in baseball are often considered the Screwball and the Eephus, both due to their unique mechanics, rarity in modern pitching, and the physical toll they can take, though some argue for pitches like the Gyroball or specialized variations like a super-slow Eephus Curve. The Screwball breaks the opposite way of most breaking balls and is hard on the arm, while the Eephus is exceptionally slow and high-arcing, both demanding unique skills. 

Who is the fastest pitcher in history?

Aroldis Chapman holds the MLB record for the fastest pitch ever recorded and the Guinness World Record for hardest baseball pitch at 105.1 mph (169.1 km/h).


Does anyone wear 69 in the MLB?

Yes, players do wear number 69 in MLB, though it's rare, with only a handful of players in history choosing it, often young players or pitchers, with names like Bronson Arroyo, A.J. Cole, and more recently Francisco Morales, and even a pitcher named A.J. Blubaugh in 2025, as teams aren't strictly banning it but it's not a popular number. 

What is the deadliest pitch in baseball?

Baseball's Deadliest Pitch and How it Changed the Sport Forever. Tragedy struck on August 16, 1920, when during a visiting game at the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Yankees, Cleveland shortstop and all-around affable guy Ray Chapman was beaned in the head by a "spitball" thrown by submarine pitcher Carl Mays.

What are the 6 F's in baseball?

Now working for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Perry breaks the act of catching the ground ball and throwing it into what he calls the "6 Fs of Fielding." They are: feet, field, funnel, footwork, fire, follow.


Who hit exactly 350 home runs?

Aaron Judge reached 350 career HRs in 1,088 games, 192 games faster than anyone else in MLB history.

Who threw 110 mph fastball?

While legendary minor leaguer Steve Dalkowski was rumored to have hit 110 mph in the 1960s (though unconfirmed by modern tech), Michael Kopech, then a White Sox prospect, officially recorded 110 mph during a 2017 workout using lighter-than-regulation baseballs, making him the first documented pitcher to reach that mark with modern radar.
 

Has anyone ever thrown a 3 pitch inning?

Yes, a three-pitch inning, where a pitcher records all three outs in an inning using only three pitches (three consecutive batters, three pitches, three outs), has happened many times in Major League Baseball history, though it's still quite rare, with over 200 recorded instances and legendary pitchers like Walter Johnson achieving it multiple times. This feat is rarer than an "immaculate inning" (nine pitches, three strikeouts) and has been accomplished by both starters and relievers, often by inducing quick groundouts or pop-ups.
 


Who threw a 106 mph pitch?

Chapman threw the fastest pitch recognized by MLB on September 24, 2010, at Petco Park in San Diego, California. It was clocked at 105.1 mph to Tony Gwynn Jr. in the eighth inning. In Game 2 of the 2010 NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Chapman allowed three unearned runs due to miscues of the outfielders.

Is a 1 pitch inning possible?

You could also more realistically have a 1-pitch inning if you come in with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs, and you induce a 1-pitch triple play to the next batter. It technically wouldn't be a "one-pitch inning", but you as a pitcher would get credit for one inning of work, and 1 pitch thrown.

Did Nolan Ryan throw a 108 mph pitch?

Nolan Ryan officially threw 100.9 mph in 1974, a Guinness World Record, but modern analysis suggests that pitch, measured at release point, would have been around 108 mph, making it arguably the fastest ever, though this speed is an estimate based on re-evaluating old technology, not an official measurement from his time. The difference comes from how speeds were recorded: his 100.9 mph was clocked 10 feet from home plate, while today's measurement is at the pitcher's release, leading to higher numbers for old pitches due to less wind resistance. 


Who throws the hardest fastball?

A1: Aroldis Chapman holds the record for the fastest pitch, clocked at 105.8 mph. Q2: What is the average fastball velocity in modern baseball? A2: The average fastball velocity now exceeds 94 mph, with many pitchers regularly reaching triple digits.

How fast is Max Fried fastball?

Fried throws a 94–96-mile-per-hour (151–154 km/h) four-seam fastball.

Is throwing 70 mph at 13 good?

An above average 13-year-old pitcher throws approximately 65 mph and the hitter has only 0.57 seconds to react. An outstanding pitcher throws 70 mph and the hitter has 0.53 seconds to react and an exceptional pitcher throws 75 mph and the hitter has to react in 0.46 seconds.


Who was the fastest pitcher ever?

Aroldis Chapman: 100+ mph Pitches in Baseball. Witness Aroldis Chapman's jaw-dropping six straight 100+ mph pitches. Don't miss these legendary baseball highlights!

How fast is Yamamoto's fastball?

Pitch Repertoire At-A-Glance

In 2025, they relied primarily on their Fourseam Fastball (95mph) and Splitter (91mph), also mixing in a Curve (77mph), Cutter (91mph) and Sinker (95mph). He also rarely threw a Slider (86mph). In 2025, compared to other RHP: Their fourseam fastball has slightly above average velo.