What Is The Fastest Baseball Pitch Ever Thrown?

We all know that baseball is a fast-paced game. But just how fast can a pitcher throw a ball?

The answer may surprise you. The fastest baseball pitch ever recorded was clocked at a whopping 105.1 miles per hour!

That’s just incredible speed. And it’s even more impressive when you consider that the average major league fastball is only about 93 miles per hour.

So, what is the secret to throwing a fastball that fast?

Introduction

In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws the ball to the catcher, who then tries to prevent the ball from being hit by the batter. The fastest pitcher in baseball is Aroldis Chapman, who plays for the Cincinnati Reds. He has been clocked at 105 miles per hour (169 kilometers per hour).

A Brief History of the Fastest Pitches Ever Thrown

In 1974, the Guinness Book of World Records recorded the fastest baseball pitch ever thrown at 105 miles per hour (169 km/h) by Jean Folger. Fastest recorded pitches as of September 2010, according to Guinness, are Aroldis Chapman at 105.1 miles per hour (169.1 km/h), Mark Prior at 105.0 miles per hour (169.0 km/h), and Joel Zumaya at 104.8 miles per hour (168.8 km/h).

Nolan Ryan and His Record-Setting Fastball

On August 20, 1974, Nolan Ryan of the California Angels threw a fastball that was clocked at 100.9 miles per hour by the PITCHf/x system. That pitch is widely recognized as the fastest pitch ever thrown in Major League Baseball.

Ryan’s record-setting pitch came in the eighth inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers. At the time, Ryan was 26 years old and in his fifth season with the Angels. He would go on to play for another 21 seasons, retiring in 1993 at the age of 46.

In his career, Ryan pitched for four different teams: the Angels, Houston Astros, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers. He is currently a special assistant for the Rangers.

Ryan is widely considered to be one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.

Aroldis Chapman and His 105 MPH Fastball

In baseball, speed is everything. The faster you can throw a pitch, the more difficult it will be for hitters to make contact. That’s why flamethrowers like Aroldis Chapman are so cherished. In 2010, Chapman made history by becoming the first pitcher to ever be clocked throwing a 105 MPH fastball.

Chapman’s record-breaking pitch came during a spring training game against the San Diego Padres. At the time, Chapman was just a 24-year-old rookie trying to make a name for himself. But after that105 MPH heater, there was no denying his talent.

Since then, Chapman has gone on to become one of the most dominant relief pitchers in Major League Baseball. He’s a four-time All-Star and he’s currently the closer for the World Series champion Chicago Cubs. Chapman is also known for his eye-popping fastball velocity, as he regularly tops 100 MPH on the radar gun.

While Chapman may be the most famous 105 MPH pitcher of all-time, he’s not the only one. In fact, there have been a handful of other hurlers who have reached that elite velocity mark. In 2014, Jordan Walden became just the second pitcher to ever hit 105 MPH on the radar gun. And in 2016, Milwaukee Brewers reliever Corey Knebel joined the club as well.

So while Chapman may hold the record for the fastest pitch ever thrown, he’s certainly not alone in the elite group of 105 MPH hurlers. And with velocities continuing to rise across baseball, it’s only a matter of time before we see another pitcher hit this rare milestone.

The Science Behind Fast Pitches

A pitcher’s throwing speed is affected by many factors, such as the size and strength of his muscles, his body weight and his arm action. However, the science behind the fastest pitches ever thrown is fascinating. Let’s take a closer look.

How Fast Can a Baseball Pitch Actually Be Thrown?

The average major league fastball is between 90 and 95 miles per hour. The highest recorded fastball speed ever is 105.1 miles per hour, set by Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman in 2010. Chapman’s fastball was clocked at over 105 miles per hour on seven different occasions during that season.

Pitchers who can consistently throw at high speeds are rare, and those who can reach speeds approaching or exceeding 100 miles per hour are even more rare. In fact, of the hundreds of pitchers who have thrown a major league baseball in the past decade, only a handful have been able to routinely hit speeds above 100 miles per hour.

The Physics of Fast Pitches

In order to understand the physical forces at play when a pitcher throws a fastball, we must first understand a little bit about the structure of baseballs. A baseball is made up of two main parts: the core and the cover. The core, or “pill,” is made up of cork and rubber. The cover is made of cowhide leather and is stitched together with 216 yards (198 meters) of cotton thread.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the fastest baseball pitch ever thrown was clocked at 105.1 miles per hour by Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds in 2010. This record may be broken in the future, but for now, Chapman holds the title.