- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: At what MPH does a pitcher have to throw for there no way the catcher can catch it
Posted on 5/26/25 at 3:55 pm to lsufball19
Posted on 5/26/25 at 3:55 pm to lsufball19
Didn’t one catch fire? 
Might be thinking of another one.
ETA: Destin from Smarter Every Day(Roll Tide) did a great video on it.
YouTube
I’d encourage anyone to watch, especially if they have young children. It’s a great channel, family friendly, and you’ll enjoy learning.
Here’s the one with the fire glove
Might be thinking of another one.
ETA: Destin from Smarter Every Day(Roll Tide) did a great video on it.
YouTube
I’d encourage anyone to watch, especially if they have young children. It’s a great channel, family friendly, and you’ll enjoy learning.
Here’s the one with the fire glove
This post was edited on 5/26/25 at 4:33 pm
0
Posted on 5/26/25 at 4:04 pm to lsufball19
The time it takes a 90mph fastball to reach the catchers glove is about 0.46 seconds.
The average human reaction time to visual stimulus is around 250 milliseconds, and most people seem to be hard capped at around 190-200 ms with training.
Seems 200 mph would be still catchable but would frick up the catcher pretty badly or kill them based on the energy involved.
The average human reaction time to visual stimulus is around 250 milliseconds, and most people seem to be hard capped at around 190-200 ms with training.
Seems 200 mph would be still catchable but would frick up the catcher pretty badly or kill them based on the energy involved.
Posted on 5/26/25 at 5:30 pm to SuckerPunch
I would think 175 would be around the max but would have to be very straight. Anything higher than that will be beyond what the brain and body can handle
Posted on 5/26/25 at 6:37 pm to BatonrougeCajun
The main problem is going to be the natural run and depth of a pitch's movement. Human thrown balls tend to not go perfectly straight.
The timing of reflex reactions suggests north of 200 MPH, but the amount of run and break probably cut that significantly, so 175 isn't a bad guess.
The timing of reflex reactions suggests north of 200 MPH, but the amount of run and break probably cut that significantly, so 175 isn't a bad guess.
Posted on 5/26/25 at 7:01 pm to FLBooGoTigs1
Randy was intimidating just watching from the stands…
Although the most fun was watching J.R. Richard pitch for something like 12 innings IIRC… It was inthe 70’s.
Although the most fun was watching J.R. Richard pitch for something like 12 innings IIRC… It was inthe 70’s.
Posted on 5/26/25 at 9:01 pm to SuckerPunch
I played American Legion ball with Reuben Tatum who threw over 90 mph back in the 70's. It hurt to catch him. A batting glove didn't help. Maybe my hands are, and were extra bony, Maybe the mitt wasn't padded well enough, but the pad on my hand next to my thumb kind of stayed bruised.
Posted on 5/27/25 at 3:31 pm to chinese58
I am a friend of both Reuben and his brother Russ. Never got to see them play, as they were a little older than me. Rumor is Reuben was a great softball pitcher and Russ could hit a softball a country mile.
Posted on 5/27/25 at 4:56 pm to lsufball19
Imagine the damage that a foul tip could do at 150 mph.
Posted on 5/27/25 at 6:05 pm to West Seattle Dude
This could be simulated pretty easily.
ChatGPT did the math...
ChatGPT did the math...
quote:
Most MLB pitchers release the ball closer to 53–55 feet from home plate due to their stride (which averages about 6–7 feet forward from the mound).
Let’s use:
Release distance = 54 feet
Reaction threshold = 0.15 seconds (elite reflex time)
Speed = Distance / Time
Distance = 54 feet
Time = 0.15 seconds
Speed = 54 ft / 0.15 s = 360 ft/s
Convert to MPH:
360 ft/s ÷ 1.467 = ~245.4 mph
This post was edited on 5/27/25 at 6:06 pm
Posted on 5/28/25 at 7:12 am to bamameister
The easiest way to catch a good knuckleball is go pick it up after it hits the backstop
Posted on 5/28/25 at 8:27 am to SuckerPunch
Ask Skenes
Posted on 5/28/25 at 9:02 am to Corinthians420
\
While true, the ball hits the ground first. So the ball wasn't moving at 152 mph when he returned it.
quote:
Bjorkman returned a 152 mph serve from Roddick
While true, the ball hits the ground first. So the ball wasn't moving at 152 mph when he returned it.
Posted on 5/28/25 at 9:06 am to SuckerPunch
quote:
At what MPH does a pitcher have to throw for there no way the catcher can catch it
quote:
The human eye can see objects moving up to around 17.5 mph if smooth pursuit eye movement is used, and up to 175 mph if saccadic eye movement is used.
Saccadic being the fast, jerky movements. Apparently we use both types of movements together to track fast moving objects.
Posted on 5/28/25 at 12:56 pm to bamameister
quote:
Cue the knuckleball. I knew catchers that would bring a larger glove to try and corner that thing.
Know the best way to catch a knuckleball? Wait for it to stop rolling and pick it up.
Posted on 5/28/25 at 8:06 pm to wmtiger69
I knew someone else would remember Reuben. I never saw him play softball. I was on that American Legion team with him when we were both at what's now NLU. My current Sunday school teacher, George Stone, coached Russell when he was at Farmerville.
Page 2 of 2
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News