SAN FRANCISCO - A baseball fan signed on Friday for the Oakland Athletics after clocking a 96 mph (154 kph) fastball at a radar-monitored pitching booth for spectators.

Guys, we were just chillin at a @rockies baseball game, and my brother decided to step into a speed pitch challenge...he hit 96 mph 😳 @MLB Let’s get him signed! pic.twitter.com/g0fKrvUxzt

— Christian Patterson (@cpatterson_7) July 15, 2019

Nathan Patterson, 23, who played baseball in high school but did not pursue a college career, hurled his blisteringly quick pitch during a challenge for fans at a Colorado Rockies game last month, and was contacted by the A's shortly after the video went viral.

"I'm grateful for the @athleticsorganization for giving me this opportunity!" Patterson wrote on Instagram on Friday alongside a photo of him signing an Oakland contract.

"This story is not over. It is not the beginning. I am writing the next chapters and excited for this journey! Time to focus even more, work even harder, and it all starts with your mindset."

Reports said Patterson had taken up baseball seriously again last August after throwing another 96mph fastball at a minor league game in Nashville.

After entering the speed pitch challenge in Denver, his brother, Christian, posted video of the feat.

"Guys, we were just chillin at a @rockies baseball game, and my brother decided to step into a speed pitch challenge...he hit 96 mph @MLB Let’s get him signed!," Christian Patterson wrote on Twitter.

"And 2 weeks later...he's now a professional athlete," Christian Patterson posted in a follow-up tweet late Thursday.

And 2 weeks later...he’s now a professional athlete. @Athletics @MLB pic.twitter.com/zLnwQKMcRH

— Christian Patterson (@cpatterson_7) August 2, 2019

rcw/td

© Agence France-Presse

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