Why it's almost impossible for baseball pitchers to throw 110-mph fastballs (2024)

I've got a pretty solid grasp on baseball pitching and the complexities behind throwing those high-speed fastballs. Glenn Fleisig's insight regarding the limitations of the human body in sustaining top pitching velocities is spot on. As the research director at the American Sports Medicine Institute, Fleisig's expertise revolves around the biomechanics of pitching, especially the stress points on the elbow ligaments.

The pursuit of throwing faster pitches is a subject close to the heart of many baseball enthusiasts and professionals. Interestingly, it's not just about the pitcher's height or arm length. Despite popular belief, those aren't the primary factors dictating the upper limits of pitch speed. Instead, it's the immense stress placed on elbow ligaments that becomes the limiting factor.

The case study mentioning Aroldis Chapman, known for consistently crossing the 100-mph mark with his pitches for the Yankees, and Jordan Hicks, the Cardinals pitcher hitting 105 mph, reflects the contemporary peak velocities observed in Major League Baseball. Hicks's remarkable speed in 2018 seemed to edge out Chapman's record at that time.

In essence, the article outlines that even though pitchers are pushing the limits of velocity, they're approaching the threshold of what the human body can handle. This restriction primarily lies in the stress exerted on elbow ligaments rather than factors like height or arm length.

Now, regarding the concepts covered in the article:

1. Pitch Velocity: This refers to the speed at which a baseball is thrown by a pitcher, measured in miles per hour (mph).

2. Biomechanics of Pitching: This involves the study of the mechanics and movements of the body while pitching, understanding the stresses and forces applied to different parts of the body.

3. Stress on Elbow Ligaments: Refers to the strain and pressure on the ligaments in the elbow joint, particularly significant in high-velocity pitching and a key factor in the limitations of maximum pitch speeds.

4. Limitations of Human Body: Indicates the physical boundaries and constraints of the human anatomy in achieving certain athletic feats, such as throwing a baseball at extreme speeds.

5. Pitcher's Height and Arm Length: Factors that were once believed to be decisive in determining maximum pitch speed, but are now understood to be secondary to the stress imposed on the elbow ligaments.

6. Top Pitching Speeds: Reflects the current peak velocities achieved in Major League Baseball, with the article suggesting that speeds around 100-105 mph might be the upper limit due to the body's limitations.

The fascination with pushing these limits in baseball pitching is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence in sports, often intersecting with the boundaries of human physiology.