In a recent press event before a crucial game against Colorado State University, Deion Sanders, the head football coach at the University of Colorado, surprised many by naming hitting a baseball as the most challenging aspect of his extensive athletic career. This statement carries significant weight, considering Sanders is the only person to have played in both the Super Bowl and the World Series.
A Dual-Sport Legend
Sanders’ journey in sports is nothing short of remarkable. After a stellar college career at Florida State University, he was drafted fifth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. However, before stepping onto the football field, he signed with the New York Yankees and became the first athlete to hit a home run in Major League Baseball and score a touchdown in the NFL within the same week. His baseball career saw him reach the 1992 World Series with the Atlanta Braves, but he is more renowned for his achievements on the football field.
After five successful seasons with the Falcons, Sanders signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he reached new heights, tying the franchise record for pick-sixes and securing the Defensive Player of the Year title in 1995.
Shared Struggles in Hitting
Sanders isn’t alone in his sentiments about the difficulty of hitting a baseball. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes echoed this sentiment in a press conference, stating, “Hitting a baseball has got to be one of the toughest things to do in the world.” Mahomes, who was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2014 before opting for a football career at Texas Tech, comes from a baseball background—his father pitched in over 300 MLB games. Despite his accomplishments in the NFL, he acknowledges the unique challenges of stepping up to the plate.
Understanding the Challenge
So, what makes hitting a baseball so exceptionally difficult? For starters, in baseball, a player can achieve a .300 batting average—meaning they succeed just three out of ten times—and still be considered elite. In contrast, a quarterback’s completion rate or a student’s test score would not be viewed favorably at such a rate.
Legendary hitter Ted Williams, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, concluded his career with an impressive .344 average. Even he admitted that hitting a baseball was the hardest task in sports.
The Science of Hitting
With the average fastball reaching speeds of over 90 miles per hour from a mere 60.5 feet away, hitters have approximately 150 milliseconds to determine if a pitch is a strike and to decide whether to swing. This rapid decision-making demands exceptional hand-eye coordination, along with the skill to read and react to various pitch types.
Challenges for All Athletes
Many talented athletes have tried their hand at both baseball and other sports. Icons like Bo Jackson and John Elway dabbled in baseball during their careers, with Elway even expressing a desire to play full-time for the New York Yankees had he not been selected by the Denver Broncos.
However, even the most extraordinary athletes can struggle at the plate. Michael Jordan, often considered the greatest basketball player of all time, faced challenges in baseball, achieving a .202 batting average with the Double-A Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox’s affiliate.
A Rare Skill
The ability to master hitting in baseball—both for contact and power—is a rare talent. Only a select few athletes have managed to excel at this demanding skill, underscoring the dedication and athleticism required to thrive in the Major Leagues.
