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East Peoria pitcher throws fastest pitch ever by a fan at White Sox game
TL;DR
RJ Duncheon, a pitcher from East Peoria High School, threw the fastest pitch ever recorded by a fan at a Chicago White Sox game. He achieved this during a game against the Mariners on May 9.
Key points
- RJ Duncheon is a pitcher from East Peoria High School
- He threw the fastest pitch ever by a fan at a White Sox game
- The record was set during a game against the Mariners on May 9
RJ DuncheonChicago White SoxMajor League Baseball
PEORIA — East Peoria High School pitcher RJ Duncheon tossed a complete-game, 12-strikeout victory on the field Monday, May 11.
But it's two pitches he threw at a Chicago White Sox game that has gathered major-league attention for the Illinois State University commit.
Duncheon was at the May 9 White Sox game against the Mariners in Rate Field when he spotted a radar gun in a pitching booth set up for fans in the concourse.
East Peoria head coach Matt Plummer talks with R.J. Duncheon as the Raiders battle Limestone during their high school baseball game Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at EastSide Centre in East Peoria. The Raiders routed the Rockets 12-2 in six innings.
Of course, he had to try it.
He fired a pitch that registered at 97 mph and was declared by the White Sox as a record for fastest pitch thrown by a fan there.
Duncheon wasn't done. Without his coaches knowing, he showed up at the pitching booth again and beat his own record, throwing a pitch 98 mph.
Both record pitches have appeared on video on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.
Duncheon, a senior at East Peoria, is 6-1 with a 1.29 ERA as of May 13. He has struck out 89 in 43⅓ innings and limited opponents to a .130 batting average.
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star senior writer and sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: East Peoria star sets fan record twice at White Sox game
Q&A
What is the fastest pitch thrown by a fan at a White Sox game?
The fastest pitch thrown by a fan at a White Sox game was achieved by RJ Duncheon.
Who is RJ Duncheon and what did he accomplish at the White Sox game?
RJ Duncheon is a pitcher from East Peoria High School who threw the fastest pitch ever recorded by a fan at a White Sox game on May 9.
When did RJ Duncheon throw the record-breaking pitch at the White Sox game?
RJ Duncheon threw the record-breaking pitch at the Chicago White Sox game on May 9.