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Many beg to differ when it comes to this debate. Is it harder to throw a 100mph fast ball, or stop a 100mph slap shot?

It takes a lot of talent to do what these professional athletes do. Whether your a quarterback in the NFL, or a short stop in the MLB. Playing at a professional level in any sport requires a lot of talent, but which sport and or position requires the most talent?

In my opinion, my hat goes off to NHL goaltenders and MLB pitchers. Allow me to explain.

MLB Pitcher: To throw a baseball over 100 times with an average of 90mph is incredible. I'm lucky if I can throw a ball once at 60mph, let alone 95mph over and over. Enough with speed, lets talk about accuracy. Curve ball, slider, change up, fast ball, there all insane. Theres no room for error. You know where Im going with this. Its incredible, insane, and TAKES A LOT OF TALENT!

NHL Goaltender: Aside from a pitcher, this position just baffles my mind. Not sure what goes on in the minds of these guys. To step in front of a frozen block of rubber traveling at speeds of up to 90mph, just makes you think.

But set aside the bravery (or stupidity) of these masked men. What does it take to play this position? A lot of talent if you ask me. Some people have a hard time standing on skates, let alone move the way these guys do. Strapped with all of that equipment, up and down, side to side, gloves saves with a blink of an eye. Now that requires talent!

What do you think? Am I missing something here? What position do you think requires the most talent?

Interesting point raised. Surprising to find only a few responses. I'd agree with John.. The most difficult position has to be the MLB Catchers. Come to think of it, the guy stand behind the batter with a partial blockage to his normal vision and adding to the complexity is catching the ball thrown at him at 90 miles an hour.
Further to this one more sport that comes to my mind is Luge". If i were to throw some light on that sport, it is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine (face up) and feet-first. imagine the hardship associated with steering the sled through the curves keeping in mind the forces of nature acting on that person.

From personal experience, the toughest sport I've ever tried was crew. By the time you're half way through the race, you're whole body is numb.

The above examples are more of a 'pressure to perform' standard. I remember having a debate with a baseball player a one of my college classes about the toughest sport to play.

I have also played soccer at a very high level and one could say that the decision making involved and knowing what each of the 21 other players on the field is doing at a high speed with no breaks for 45 minutes x2 is also challenging.

I believe that each has it's own difficulties and challenges but it's tough to compare because they are demanding in their own different ways.

I think almost every position has its difficulties. My vote goes to MLB catchers. To be behind the plate with all the equipment catching 90 mph balls all game long is tough. Catchers also call majority of the pitches thrown and I don't think get enough credit for when a pitcher does well or throws a no hitter or perfect game, it's just as much the catcher calling the pitches. Also all those years of catching can really wear on your knees and legs, so if you can find a great hitting catcher like Ivan Rodriguez, you've got a really special player.

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