Close Menu
Meanwhile in IrelandMeanwhile in Ireland

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!

    What's Hot

    BREAKING: Street performer Jelvis Pelvis is dead

    April 5, 2025

    The Cheltenham Festival: Why It’s Practically A National Holiday In Ireland

    April 3, 2025

    JOB ALERT: Social Media Content Creator at Meanwhile in Ireland

    March 26, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Meanwhile in IrelandMeanwhile in Ireland
    • Home
    • News
    • Craic
    • Sports
    • More
      • All-Time Top Articles
      • Culture
      • Dublin
      • Funny
      • Irish People
      • Interesting News
      • Satire
      • The Drink!
      • Travel
      • TV and Movies
      • Viral
    • Shop
    Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok
    Meanwhile in IrelandMeanwhile in Ireland
    You are at:Home » News » Sports » Top 10 fastest ball games in the world
    Featured Block Sports

    Top 10 fastest ball games in the world

    Dan O'MuirighBy Dan O'MuirighAugust 3, 2023No Comments6 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share:
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest Email

    We are often mesmerised at the skill and display of elite sports men and women, and even more so at the pace that they do it. Here are the top ten fastest ball games in the world, ranked.

    Here are the 10 fastest ball games in the world.

    The skill of sports men and women is often something to be widely admired, and even more so when you take into consideration the speed and pace with which the world’s most popular games need to be played it.

    From golf to cricket, from baseball to tennis, and even homegrown Irish sports, we are often left in awe at the speed and velocity that these athletes play their chosen trade.

    Here are the top ten fastest ball games in the world, ranked.

    Table of Contents−
    • We are often mesmerised at the skill and display of elite sports men and women, and even more so at the pace that they do it. Here are the top ten fastest ball games in the world, ranked.
    • Meanwhile in Ireland’s top facts about the fastest ball games in the world:
      • 10. Lacrosse (120 kilometres/75 miles p/h) – a Native American sport
      • 9. Cricket (161.3 kilometres/100 miles p/h) – first in England, now global
      • 8. Baseball (168.9 kilometres/105 miles p/h) – it’s an American thing
      • 7. Hurling (181 kilometres/112 miles p/h) – Ireland’s pride
      • 6. Football (210.8 kilometres/131 miles p/h) – the beautiful (and fast) game
      • 5. Tennis (263.4 kilometres/164 miles p/h) – one of the fastest ball games in the world 
      • 4. Squash (281.6 kilometres/175 miles p/h) – outfoxing your opponent 
      • 3. Jai Alai (302 kilometres/188 miles p/h) ­­­– for a merry set of games
      • 2. Pelota (305 kilometres/190 miles p/h) – dating back to 13th century Spain
      • 1. Golf (339.6 kilometres/211 miles p/h) – for astonishing speeds and entertainment
    • Your questions answered about the fastest ball games in the world
      • What’s the fastest ball sport in the world?
      • How fast is hurling?
      • What does jai alai mean in English?

    Meanwhile in Ireland’s top facts about the fastest ball games in the world:

    • One of the GAA‘s main sports, hurling is among the fastest ball sports in the world.
    • Fastball pitches in baseball tend to reach speeds of over 161 km p/h (100 miles p/h). Some renowned ‘power pitchers’ include Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens.
    • Cricket powerplay sees balls delivered at speeds exceeding 161 km p/h (100 miles p/h).
    • Although the record is unverified, American tennis star Bill Tiden reportedly once served at 263.4 km p/h (163 miles p/h).
    • The Basque sport jai alai, one of the fastest ball sports in the world, has been played since the 14th century.

    10. Lacrosse (120 kilometres/75 miles p/h) – a Native American sport

    Lacrosse is one of the fastest ball games in the world.
    Credit: Pixabay.com / KeithJJ

    Lacrosse is a team game that originates from Native American communities. It’s played at such a pace as to rank in the top ten fastest ball games in the world.

    The object of the game is to score in the opponents’ goal using a lacrosse stick (or ‘crosse’). Question is, who will get there quicker?

    9. Cricket (161.3 kilometres/100 miles p/h) – first in England, now global

    Cricket is one of the most famous games played across the globe.
    Credit: Pixabay.com / shents

    Next up is the game of cricket, first played in England back in the 16th-century. Now, it is one of the most famous games played across the globe.

    At speeds of over 160 kilometres p/h (100 miles p/h), the game played with a bat and ball is a shoe-in on our list of the fastest ball games in the world.

    8. Baseball (168.9 kilometres/105 miles p/h) – it’s an American thing

    Baseball is one of the fastest ball games in the world.
    Credit: Pixabay.com / KeithJJ

    One of America’s most popular sports, the game of baseball has reached incredible speeds. This only adds to the thrill of the game.

    In 2010, Aroldis Chapman was recorded as throwing the ball at a speed of 168.9 kilometres p/h (105.1 miles p/h). And he was a rookie!

    7. Hurling (181 kilometres/112 miles p/h) – Ireland’s pride

    The native sport of Hurling holds a cherished place across the Emerald Isle.
    Credit: Pixabay.com / roninmd

    The native sport of Hurling holds a cherished place across the Emerald Isle. It is thousands of years old, and also one of the fastest ball games in the world.

    Back in 2014, during the All-Ireland senior hurling Championship semi-final, Kilkenny marksman TJ Reid struck the sliotar at an incredible 181.1 kilometres p/h (112.5 miles p/h).

    READ MORE: Meanwhile in Ireland’s top ten mad facts you never knew about hurling.

    6. Football (210.8 kilometres/131 miles p/h) – the beautiful (and fast) game

    Football is one of the fastest ball games in the world.
    Credit: Pixabay.com / KeithJJ

    The beautiful game is perhaps the world’s most popular and is also played at a ferocious pace and intensity.

    According to several sources, Ronny Heberson took a strike during a football match that clocked 211 kilometres p/h (131 miles p/h).

    Arjen Robben is a close second at 190km p/h (119 miles p/h), and yet still pinches hurling in this list of the fastest ball games in the world.

    READ NEXT: The MII guide to the five most popular sports in Ireland.

    5. Tennis (263.4 kilometres/164 miles p/h) – one of the fastest ball games in the world 

    Tennis is an exhilarating sport that leaves you glued to the action.
    Credit: Pixabay.com / cely_

    A racket sport, tennis involves either one against one or teams of two facing against each other. This sport was first played back in 1859.

    Reaching a vast speed of 263.4 kilometres p/h (163 miles p/h), tennis is an exhilarating sport that leaves you glued to the action.

    4. Squash (281.6 kilometres/175 miles p/h) – outfoxing your opponent 

    Squash is one of the fastest ball games in the world.
    Credit: flickr.com / Guernsey Sports Commission

    Next up on our list of the fastest ball games in the world is squash. Despite how simple the four-walled game may look, speeds can reach an impressive 281.6 kilometres p/h (175 miles p/h).

    Players, often one on one or in a team game, hit a small ball off the wall repeatedly in a manner that the opponent cannot return the favour.

    3. Jai Alai (302 kilometres/188 miles p/h) ­­­– for a merry set of games

    ‘Jai Alai’ translates to ‘merry festival’.
    Credit: flickr.com / Ryan Derry

    Jai Alai is quite similar to squash, however it involves bouncing a ball off the wall using a hand-held wicker cesta.

    The game was established in the Basque country. ‘Jai Alai’ translates to ‘merry festival’. The game is played more prominently in Spain, the south-west of France, and Latin American countries.  

    2. Pelota (305 kilometres/190 miles p/h) – dating back to 13th century Spain

    Pelota is one of the fastest ball games in the world.
    Credit: Instagram / @ academiadebeisbollafinca

    This Spanish sport dates its historical origins back into the 13th century, and is still played widely today. It couldn’t be amiss in our list of the fastest ball games in the world.

    The game is played in a court where a player uses his or her hand, racket, bat, or basket to hit the ball. Balls have been known to reach a frightening 305 km p/h (189.5 miles p/h).

    1. Golf (339.6 kilometres/211 miles p/h) – for astonishing speeds and entertainment

    Golf ranks first on our list of the fastest ball games in the world.
    Credit: pixabay.com / 422737

    In the wake of the Ryder Cup, we see easily why the worldwide sport of golf ranks first on our list of the fastest ball games in the world.

    Despite its relaxing nature or supposed lack of physical movement, it actually takes a great deal of speed and strength to play the game. Golf balls have reached astonishing speeds of just under 340 km p/h (201 miles p/h).

    RELATED READ: Our guide to the fastest field sports in the world.

    Your questions answered about the fastest ball games in the world

    If you’ve still got questions about the fastest ball games in the world, you’re in luck! In this section, we answer some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions on the topic as well as some that appear frequently in online searches.

    What’s the fastest ball sport in the world?

    Golf is the fastest ball sport in the world, with the ball travelling at top speeds of just under 340 km p/h (201 miles p/h).

    How fast is hurling?

    The fastest recorded sliotar in hurling travelled at 181 km p/h (112 miles p/h).

    What does jai alai mean in English?

    Jai alai means ‘merry festival’ in Basque.

    Legal Disclaimer

    We cover articles relating to many activities. Some of our articles showcase gaming and gambling as activities. While we do not take money for bets or own any gambling venues, we feel it is important that our readers know the risks of such venues or sites that we may mention in our articles. Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. See our legal disclaimer for more info.

    Share. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Avatar photo
    Dan O'Muirigh

    Dan O'Muirigh is a keen travel writer from Belfast, County Antrim. He has been a regular writer for Ireland Before You Die, The World Bucket List and Meanwhile in Ireland since 2019, covering topics ranging from the Irish countryside, cities, hidden gems, and other standout features to Irish culture, history, and language. He has also contributed to more worldwide and good news articles. Dan holds a law degree and has held a keen interest in writing for many years. He has been immersed in Irish culture, playing GAA, writing about the country, and learning its language. Dan has travelled far and wide across Ireland, with a particular interest in Donegal. He has also travelled around Europe, the Caribbean and South-East Asia.

    Related Posts

    The Cheltenham Festival: Why It’s Practically A National Holiday In Ireland

    By Siân McQuillanApril 3, 2025

    Insights Into The Most Engaging Sports Wagering Options (in Ireland)

    By Siân McQuillanFebruary 23, 2025

    Hurling is the greatest sport in the world. Here’s why…

    By Siân McQuillanJuly 24, 2024

    7 unforgettable moments during the NFL 2023/24 season

    By Meanwhile in Ireland TeamJuly 18, 2024
    OFFICIAL SPONSOR
    Latest Articles

    BREAKING: Street performer Jelvis Pelvis is dead

    April 5, 2025

    The Cheltenham Festival: Why It’s Practically A National Holiday In Ireland

    April 3, 2025

    JOB ALERT: Social Media Content Creator at Meanwhile in Ireland

    March 26, 2025

    Insights Into The Most Engaging Sports Wagering Options (in Ireland)

    February 23, 2025
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
      Thank you for Signing Up
    Please correct the marked field(s) below.
    1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    Don't Miss

    Priests refused entry to a pub after being mistaken for a stag do in Kilkenny

    By Gerald LeinsterDecember 11, 2019

    Five Priests from County Mayo are set to take a case for breach of civil…

    Former IRA man offers his ‘On the Run’ letter to Harry and Meghan

    January 24, 2020

    The 2022 Irish Farmer Calendar is here, and it’s amazing

    November 18, 2021

    5 popular casinos around Ireland

    November 1, 2022

    We specialise in Bizarre Irish News, Viral Videos and general Irish Craic.

    • Home
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Team
    • Work for us
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Copyright
    • Shop
    Follow us

    Connect with us on your favourite social media app.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube TikTok
    Contact us

    19 Arthur St, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4GA.

    [email protected]
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
      Thank you for Signing Up
    Please correct the marked field(s) below.
    1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2
    ©Copyright 2019 - Meanwhile in Ireland | Trading under Emerald Green Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.