Nippon Ham's Otani ties Japan's fastest 162-kph pitch

Nippon Ham's Otani ties Japan's fastest 162-kph pitch

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Shohei Otani of the Nippon Ham Fighters throws a 162-kilometer-per-hour fastball, a tie for the fastest in Japan's professional baseball, on his second pitch against lead-off batter Takashi Toritani of the Hanshin Tigers in the bottom of the first inning in game 2 of the All-Star series at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on July 19, 2014. Marc Kroon of the Yomiuri Giants threw a 162 kph ball in 2008.

Up-and-coming Fujinami, Otani pitch in All-Star game

Up-and-coming Fujinami, Otani pitch in All-Star game

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Shintaro Fujinami of the Hanshin Tigers (L) and Shohei Otani of the Nippon Ham Fighters, the two rivals from their high school days, are starting pitchers in game 2 of the All-Star series at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on July 19, 2014. Otani threw a 162-kilometer-per-hour fastball to tie the Japanese record. Otani's Pacific League team beat the Central League squad 12-6.

Otani twice throws 162-kph pitches in 4th loss

Otani twice throws 162-kph pitches in 4th loss

The scoreboard at Sapporo Dome shows the Nippon Ham Fighters' Shohei Otani threw a 162-kilometer-per hour pitch in a game against the Seibu Lions on May 15, 2016, matching the record for the fastest pitch ever in Japanese professional baseball. Otani threw two 162 kph pitches during the game, matching the record he holds jointly with another player, yet suffered his fourth loss of the season as the Lions beat the Fighters 6-3. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Nippon Ham's Otani ties Japan's fastest 162-kph pitch

Nippon Ham's Otani ties Japan's fastest 162-kph pitch

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Shohei Otani of the Nippon Ham Fighters throws a 162-kilometer-per-hour fastball, a tie for the fastest in Japan's professional baseball, on his second pitch against lead-off batter Takashi Toritani of the Hanshin Tigers in the bottom of the first inning in game 2 of the All-Star series at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on July 19, 2014. Marc Kroon of the Yomiuri Giants threw a 162 kph ball in 2008. (Kyodo)

Up-and-coming Fujinami, Otani pitch in All-Star game

Up-and-coming Fujinami, Otani pitch in All-Star game

NISHINOMIYA, Japan - Shintaro Fujinami of the Hanshin Tigers (L) and Shohei Otani of the Nippon Ham Fighters, the two rivals from their high school days, are starting pitchers in game 2 of the All-Star series at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya, western Japan, on July 19, 2014. Otani threw a 162-kilometer-per-hour fastball to tie the Japanese record. Otani's Pacific League team beat the Central League squad 12-6. (Kyodo)