Blistering 160km/h (99mph) fastball pitched by high school student
The baseball world in Japan has been shaken to its core by a pitch so fast it stands among the fastest in the world – and it was done during a high school game.
The pitch, thrown during a televised semifinal match last week between Ichinoseki Gakuin and Hanamaki Higashi, has focused all the attention of professional baseball onto young Shohei Otani, the pitcher for Hanamaki Higashi High School.
Otani’s throw, although exceptional, was hardly a fluke as he was already producing amazingly high speed fastballs starting with a fifth inning 156km/h (97mph) pitch. He managed to top that in the sixth inning with a 159km/h (98mph) scorcher only to surpass himself again immediately afterwards with his 160km/h (99mph) pitch.
For comparison, the fastest recorded pitch in MLB belongs to Aroldis Chapman of the Cincinnati Reds. His fastball measures between 167 and 170km/h (103-105mph)
He may have gone further except the game was called after Hanamaki Higashi had a 9-1 lead in the 7th inning. One thing is for certain, Shohei Otani has a bright future in pro-baseball if he chooses. The teenager’s throwing arm isn’t even fully developed yet.
Source: Draft Kaigi
RocketNews24
Order by Time Order by Popularity
10 Comments
Login to comment
2
Virtuoso
It probably never will develop, if he pitches at the Koshien Tournament. Most teams only have one good pitcher and they are made to throw every game. Dice-K pitched 17 consecutive innings while at Yokohama HS. Coaches will not hesitate for a second to make these kids throw their arms away in order to win games.
-1
techall
Virtuoso: Agreed, they will ruin his arm. Japanese coaches have no concept of protecting his arm, they just think "win today, use him again tomorrow if need be" and never mind that he will have a dead arm 3 to 5 years from now.
-1
spudman
Yep, unless his mechanics are perfect, highly doubtful, he's on borrowed time. Make as much money as quick as possible young fella.
1
harry7harry
this is good. i would like to play base ball.never got chance to play base ball only played cricket. it seems nice sports.
1
lostrune2
Speed is one factor. Control is another.
Randy Johnson didn't become good until he learned how to control his fireballs.
-1
smithinjapan
This kid is going to blow his arm out if he's made to pitch for all the games and doesn't take care. It's happened to many Japanese pitchers and they end up on the disabled list pretty quick. Hope this kid can hang in there and his future is bright, not ruined.
-1
TokyoGas
That arm will be blown out pretty quick unless they put him on a proper cycle of rest.
1
Matthew Simon
I watched the video of this. The control is not there yet but when he has it he will really be something amazing. And so young too!
0
Mocheake
Movement and control make a pitcher great. Painting corners, keeping hitters off-balance, etc. Good luck to this young man. Hopefully, they won't ruin his arm before he gets a shot at the big time.
Back to top