The "A World Record …. Almost!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Walking the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ with my son Derek and grandson Caden.  Our destination this evening is the basketball shooting cage and the cage where you can see how hard you can throw a baseball.  An hour ago Derek and Caden had spent almost half an hour on the beach throwing the baseball to prepare Caden for what was to come.  Caden has been playing youth baseball for three years now and is on a travel team this year.  He has been playing third base, first base and doing some pitching.  Recently he has been asked to pitch a few more innings and has contributed to the team by now allowing an earned run yet this season.  He is 10 years old and can throw the ball hard.  But, just how hard can he really throw it! We were about to find out.  We arrived at the cage and there were a few other boys gathered around, mostly Caden's age.  Posted on a white board was the top speed for a youth that day, which was 52 MPH, and the top adult speed, which was in the low 70s.  Derek paid for six baseballs and handed Caden the first ball.  He told his son to aim for the catcher's mitt and just take his time on this first ball, so as not to hurt his arm.  

Caden firing toward the catcher.

Caden let loose and up popped 123 MPH on the electronic sign.  Wow!  That got the attention of just about everyone standing around watching Caden.  I said to Derek, "I wasn't ready with the camera and didn't get a photo of the speed.  And, there is no way he threw the ball that fast."  

The radar reading shows a daily high of 52 MPH.

Caden grabbed the next ball, wound up and let it fly.  48 MPH registered.  Not bad for a 10 year old.  He eventually hit the 52 MPH speed and impressed the other young boys standing there watching.  They all knew, including Caden, that the original speed listed must have been a malfunction in the radar gun.  He tied the daily record, but was told he had to break it to have his name on the board.  We stood and watched a few other boys throw, one hitting the high 40s MPH.  Caden was proud of himself as we walked away, heading for a treat to cool him down.  If only I would of had my camera trained on the radar setting for the first throw, Caden would have a photo to impress his friends.  Oh well, maybe next year.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.