Liao Jen-lei's Pitching Speed Increases After US Training, Nearly Switched to NBA

(Central News Agency reporter Su Chih-she, New Taipei City, 15th) Fubon Guardians pitcher Liao Jen-lei's fastest pitch this season has reached 154 km/h. He attributes this to pre-season training in the United States, which made his power generation more efficient. In addition, the 201 cm tall pitcher also revealed an interesting story from his junior high days when he almost switched to professional basketball after being "recruited" by an NBA coach in the United States.

Liao Jen-lei's fastest pitch in the Chinese Professional Baseball League was 155 km/h, which was four years ago. In the past two years, his fastest pitch was only 151 km/h. However, on April 6th this year, he threw 154 km/h at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium, regaining his past fastball. During the off-season, he and teammate Huang Pao-lo went to a private training facility in Atlanta, USA, to practice controlling their pitching.

"I don't have to deliberately think about how to throw," Liao Jen-lei said in an interview with the Central News Agency today. "I can generate power more efficiently to throw the ball." During his training in the United States, he was able to adjust individual technical details. "Basic things, such as power generation and center of gravity movement, are different for everyone, but the goal is the same."

However, regarding the increase in pitching speed this year, Liao Jen-lei stated that there are still discrepancies in speed measurements at various CPBL stadiums. According to the team's internal Trackman data, his fastest pitch is not significantly different from the previous two years, but his average speed has indeed increased.

When Liao Jen-lei was in junior high, he went to the United States to do weight training. He happened to meet a coach from the Houston Rockets' development league, who, seeing Liao Jen-lei's tall stature, asked him: "Do you want to switch to basketball?" and said he could be drafted in three years. Later, his mother said, "You can't even play the small ball (baseball) well, and you want to play the big ball (basketball)?" Liao Jen-lei thought about it and decided to continue his career in baseball. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150415

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