Editing Fastball (section)

==Velocity==
[[File:Fastball velo year.png|alt=fastballs.gif|thumb|400x400px|Average four-seam fastball velocity since 2008]]
The fastest pitch officially recognized by [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] was a {{cvt|105.8|mph|m/s}} four-seam fastball thrown by [[Aroldis Chapman]] on September 24, 2010. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Statcast Search: >105mph Fastballs |url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&hfSit=&player_type=pitcher&hfOuts=&hfOpponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&home_road=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=api_p_release_speed&metric_1_gt=105&metric_1_lt=&group_by=name&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitches&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=baseballsavant.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since the mid-2000s, MLB has observed a significant increase in fastball velocity among pitchers. In 2008, the average four-seam fastball velocity in the MLB was below {{cvt|92|mph|m/s}}. This figure has climbed steadily, surpassing {{cvt|93|mph|m/s}} by 2015, and exceeding {{cvt|94|mph|m/s}} by 2023. The frequency of pitches exceeding {{cvt|100|mph|m/s}} further illustrates this trend: in the 2008 regular season, only 214 fastballs reached speeds greater than 100 mph, whereas in 2023, there were 3,848 such pitches. This trend highlights significant advancements in athlete training as well as changes in player evaluation and development.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statcast Search: Yearly Four-Seam Fastball Velocity |url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=FF%7C&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&hfSit=&player_type=pitcher&hfOuts=&hfOpponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&home_road=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&metric_1_gt=&metric_1_lt=&group_by=league-year&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitches&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_velocity=on |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=baseballsavant.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Statcast Search: >100mph Fastballs |url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=FF%7CSI%7CFC%7C&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&hfSit=&player_type=pitcher&hfOuts=&hfOpponent=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&home_road=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=api_p_release_speed&metric_1_gt=100&metric_1_lt=&group_by=league-year&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitches&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_velocity=on#results}}</ref> 

Increasing fastball velocities have contributed to a number of trends in MLB.

* Higher pitching velocities are associated with greater stress on a pitcher's arm, particularly the elbow and shoulder. Pitch velocity has a significant correlation with injuries such as [[Ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow|ulnar collateral ligament tears]], necessitating [[Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction|reconstructive surgery]].
* Pitchers are less capable of pitching frequently or pitching deep into games due to fatigue and injury concerns associated with throwing harder.
* Emphasis on velocity has been criticized as encouraging homogeneity among pitchers, leading to a less aesthetically appealing game. Velocity is encouraged, in part, to elevate pitchers strikeout rates often at the cost of increasing walks, hit batters, and allowing fewer balls in play. While this may improve the overall effectiveness of the pitcher, it might be less appealing for spectators who see less action.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sheinin |first1=Dave |date=21 May 2019 |title=Velocity is strangling baseball — and its grip keeps tightening |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/05/21/velocity-is-strangling-baseball-its-grip-keeps-tightening |access-date=22 May 2019 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>