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Could you hit an MLB pitch?
Morning dudes, happy first day of October. Turns out, today’s packed with some wild moments in history. From the founding of countries to game-changing events in sports and entertainment, October 1st has seen it all. Here are a few of the things that went down:
1983: Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" video debuted.
1971: Walt Disney World opened in Orlando.
1949: Mao Zedong founded the People’s Republic of China.
1903: The first-ever World Series game was played.
1890: Yosemite National Park was established.
Now let’s dive into today’s edition.
Sports Stuff
What Are the Odds of Hitting an MLB Pitch?
Ever sit on your couch watching a baseball game, thinking, "I could totally hit that"? Well, hold your horses, slugger. Let’s break down why stepping into the batter’s box against an MLB pitcher is a whole different ballgame—pun intended.
First off, the speed. MLB fastballs regularly clock in around 90-100 mph. To put that in perspective, a 95 mph pitch reaches home plate in just 400 milliseconds—that’s less than half a second. Now, the average person takes about 150 milliseconds just to recognize that a pitch is coming and decide whether or not to swing. That leaves you with a whopping 250 milliseconds to track the ball, gauge its movement, and get your bat into position.
Oh, and speaking of movement, MLB pitchers aren’t just throwing straight down the plate. They’re also mixing in curveballs, sliders, and changeups. These pitches can dip, swerve, and zigzag unpredictably, making it even harder for an untrained eye to follow.
Even the pros—guys who’ve spent their entire lives training to hit these pitches—only make contact about 30% of the time. That’s why a .300 batting average is considered elite in the big leagues. For the average Joe, though? Your odds of hitting a major league pitch sit somewhere around 1 in 1,000. And by "hitting," we don’t mean knocking it out of the park; we’re talking about just making contact, probably with the ball dribbling off the bat.
So, next time you watch a game and think, “I could do that,” just remember: the pitch is coming in fast, and your odds of connecting are low. Real low.
Who was the first player to hit 70 home runs in a single season? |
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Big Stuff
The Grand Canyon
When it comes to showing off, nature doesn’t mess around. Case in point: the Grand Canyon. Stretching 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and a mile deep in some spots, it’s basically Earth’s way of saying, “Look what I can do” If you’ve ever stood on the edge of this massive wonder, you know what we’re talking about. And if you haven’t, just imagine standing in front of the world’s biggest “You Are Here” map… where “here” makes you feel like a speck of dust.
Rockin’ the Ages
First off, let’s address the elephant (or mammoth) in the room: this place is old. The Grand Canyon started forming about 6 million years ago, but the rocks it slices through? Some of them clock in at 2 billion years old. That’s the kind of age range that makes even dinosaurs look like rookies. It’s like walking through a history book that spans eons—except instead of paragraphs, you’re looking at layers of Earth’s crust that tell a story written in stone.
So yeah, it’s not just a pretty face. The Grand Canyon is geological royalty, and it’s been around longer than most of us can wrap our heads around.
The Stats that Matter
Let’s break it down in dude terms:
277 miles long – That’s like driving from LA to Vegas.
Up to 18 miles wide.
A mile deep – That’s 19 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other.
Oh, and it’s so big it creates its own weather. Temperatures can vary by 25 degrees between the top and the bottom. Because why not?
The Grand Canyon also holds the title for “most intimidating hike of your life.” The Bright Angel Trail takes you from the rim to the river, but heads up—what goes down must come up, and that return trip is a leg-burner of epic proportions. If hiking isn’t your thing, check out the Skywalk, a glass bridge that lets you stroll 70 feet out over the canyon’s edge. Just be ready for your knees to question all your life choices.
Bigger Than Life
Aside from being nature’s ultimate flex, the Grand Canyon has been a spiritual site for Native American tribes for centuries. And after a few minutes of staring into the abyss, you get it. It’s one of those places that makes you feel small—in the best way possible. Whether you’re there to take in the views, burn some serious calories, or just contemplate your place in the universe, the Grand Canyon’s got you covered.
The bottom line? There are “big things,” and then there’s the Grand Canyon. You could spend a lifetime exploring it and still not see it all.
Never been to the Grand Canyon? You can see it for yourself here.
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