Page 30 - Sports Illustrated Kids (April 2019)
P. 30
n the first
inning of
last year’s
All-Star
Game, the
best pitcher in baseball was facing
the best hitter. Max Scherzer of the
Nationals was on the mound, and
plate with a count of 3 and 2. the Astros, the two-time reigning
AL batting champ, on three pitches.
Joe Buck suggested that Scherzer The first was a slider. The second
was a 98-mph fastball up in the
pitch. But as the camera zoomed in strike zone that Altuve swung at
on catcher Willson Contreras as he and missed. The third was another
called the pitch, he put down one 98-mph scorcher that was up
around eye level. He swung
partner, John Smoltz, said excitedly, through that one as well.
“He wants to throw the heater!” It was nothing new for Scherzer.
Why wouldn’t Scherzer? He has He struck out 300 hitters last
one of the best fastballs in the game, season. In 2016 he fanned a record-
at a time when baseball has never tying 20 in one game. (He actually
been more obsessed with heat. had a stretch during which 22 of 27
Consider the at bat before Trout’s. outs came on whiffs.) The scary
Scherzer struck out José Altuve of thing is that his fastball, which
SO,JUST HOW FAST IS A FASTBALL? 64.6 mph 75.9 mph 77 mph
Volleyball serve Knuckleball Softball pitch
