Why MLB hitters can't hit Jennie Finch and science behind reaction time

Author:
David Epstein
Publish date:
Jul 24, 2013

Olympic champion softball pitcher Jennie Finch's fastball takes the same amount of time to reach the plate as a 95-MPH pitch from an MLB mound. But MLB hitters aren't used to the motion and rotation and can't pick it up. — Olympic champion softball pitcher Jennie Finch's fastball takes the same amount of time to reach the plate as a 95-MPH pitch from an MLB mound. But MLB hitters aren't used to the motion and rotation and can't pick it up.
Getty Images

Pujols stepped out of the batter's box, composed himself and stepped back in. He twisted his feet into the dirt and stared back at Finch.

Courtesy of Current

A hitter must decide where to swing before the ball has traveled half of its 400-millisecond journey home. Mariano Rivera's cutter is so vexing because it sometimes changes course after that point. — A hitter must decide where to swing before the ball has traveled half of its 400-millisecond journey home. Mariano Rivera's cutter is so vexing because it sometimes changes course after that point.
McKibillo

Courtesy of Current

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