Sliding Head-first into 1st

[andrew9991]

The other day, I was reading an article where Omar Vizquel defends his belief of sliding into first base. I have never understood why players do it but, Vizquel did make an interesting argument. He compared it to infielders or outfielders making a diving play on a ground/fly ball. In many cases, a dive in the field is performed in order to allow oneself to stop and make a quicker transition into throwing the baseball. However, many times it actually does seem like the only way and the quickest way to get to a ball is to dive for it. If this is the case, then Vizquel's argument does make some sense (A player diving to intercept a ball at a fixed point = a player diving to reach a base which is also a fixed point). This has been confusing me for a few days now so if anyone has any insight, post away.

[XZero771679666304]

The other day, I was reading an article where Omar Vizquel defends his belief of sliding into first base. I have never understood why players do it but, Vizquel did make an interesting argument. He compared it to infielders or outfielders making a diving play on a ground/fly ball. In many cases, a dive in the field is performed in order to allow oneself to stop and make a quicker transition into throwing the baseball. However, many times it actually does seem like the only way and the quickest way to get to a ball is to dive for it. If this is the case, then Vizquel's argument does make some sense (A player diving to intercept a ball at a fixed point = a player diving to reach a base which is also a fixed point). This has been confusing me for a few days now so if anyone has any insight, post away.

 

It's skewed perception, and Omar is wrong. The ONLY time sliding into first is a good idea is to avoid a tag. The reasons that fielders dive is because it is easier to get the glove hand close to the ground. Plus, bending over while in full sprint slows a runner down, and may cause you to fall right on your face. If you are an OF, diving on balls hit over your head is totally unnecessary, since running at full speed under the ball will get you to the ball faster. I think the truth is that many dives in the OF are just unnecessary.

 

Since catching a ball or bending over going into first isn't necessary, there is simply no way to get to first faster than to run full speed through the bag. The instant you stop running and go into a dive, you lose kinetic energy. All diving does is slow you down.

[Soul]

XZero is right. Sliding into first slows you down. Omar is wrong in his analogy:

 

1) Sometimes a dive for a ball in the outfield is necessary to get the glove into the correct position to catch the ball. It doesn't have much to do with moving faster in these cases.

 

2) In other cases, a dive for a ball is accompanied by a final leap, which gives a temporary boost in kinetic energy. Unfortunately, crouching down to slide into first base makes it basically impossible to "leap" at the bag.

 

I'm pretty sure somebody did a study that proved diving into 1st slows you down. But I can't remember who or where to dig it up.

[treebird]

I think the truth is that many dives in the OF are just unnecessary.

 

Completely agree. Almost any dive you see comes on a play in which, if the outfielder would just keep running, he'd get to the ball anyway.

 

While I'm sure everyone will be all "EDMONDS, EDMONDS" on this, I think the real king of the unnecessary dive is Eric Byrnes.

The Chicago Cubs letting the Mets and Reds sweep them was an unnecessary dive.

[Balsa]

The Chicago Cubs letting the Mets and Reds sweep them was an unnecessary dive.

 

BADUM-CHHHH

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

2) In other cases, a dive for a ball is accompanied by a final leap, which gives a temporary boost in kinetic energy. Unfortunately, crouching down to slide into first base makes it basically impossible to "leap" at the bag.

 

This is maybe the silliest thing I've read on here in a long time. The main way to refute Vizquel is to remind him that you can't catch the ball with your feet.

[EricG]

my theory has been that they do it to make a dust cloud so the ump can't see the play

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

my theory has been that they do it to make a dust cloud so the ump can't see the play

 

If that were the case, Pigpen would be an All-star.

[ronsanto10]

that made me laugh out loud....my wife is looking at me funny :shock:

my theory has been that they do it to make a dust cloud so the ump can't see the play

 

If that were the case, Pigpen would be an All-star.