Head first slides

[Torridd]

What is the difference in doing it at first vs. other bases? Is there the same potential for injury?

Edited April 10, 2014 by Torridd

[mancini79]

Higher chance of injury at first. Since you don't need to stay on the bag, players slide at a faster speed through the bag. Unlike homeplate, the bag is raised so players jam their fingers on the bag or jar their shoulder.

[Torridd]

Thanks mancini

[Reveille1984]

Usually at first runners try and just touch the bag and kind of slide past/over it, which has a huge potential for injury when you're running full speed.  They start the slide much later.  As opposed to other bases, you don't have to slide under a tag; you're just trying to beat the ball.  Sliding into 2nd and 3rd you slide much earlier, so your momentum is slowed as you approach the base and try to get under the tag.

 

It isn't even necessarily even the injury risk that makes it dumb, it's the fact that the runner isn't getting to the base any faster by sliding rather than just running through it. 

[Redondo]

Totally uncalled for IMO. The risk for injury outweighs the extra split second it appears to give the runner.

 

When I look at runners doing this it appears to me that they would be better off running through the bag. It's not like 2nd or 3rd where you have to stop.

 

Does anyone have any data to support if it really is faster to slide into first?

[KingJustinian]

I can't imagine it being faster to slide than run through it. The one scenario where it makes sense is if the throw pulls the first baseman off the bag.

[mancini79]

Only time sliding makes sense is if the throw pulls the 1b off the bag and the runner slides to avoid the tag. But that is rare and not worth the risk of injury. Plus if the throw goes past the 1b, the runner is on the ground and likely won't advance to 2nd.

[mancini79]

Mythbusters had a segment on this and sliding slows down the runner.

[fan_since79]

The crazy thing is Josh said he couldn't guarantee he won't do it again. What's wrong with him?!?!

[Troll Daddy]

Fun to watch.

Signed

Pete Rose

[jangel7]

Seems like a slide into first is always a last minute decision, putting the body in awkward positions.

[Redondo]

Mythbusters had a segment on this and sliding slows down the runner.

 

That's the way I see it with eyes.

 

If I was a coach or a player I would never do this or teach this.

[Tyler]

The only time you should dive head first, as an offensive player, is on a pick off attempt. If you're doing it outside of that situation then you are clearly doing it for show.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Shane

[Stradling]

The crazy thing is Josh said he couldn't guarantee he won't do it again. What's wrong with him?!?!

It's called reacting. Even though it doesn't make sense you just react.

[yk9001]

I've put my hand in that flame on the stove, and gave me 2nd degree burns.

 

But i can't tell you I won't do it again.  Its just reactions.

[Torridd]

It's called reacting. Even though it doesn't make sense you just react.

It could also be pride or stubbornness. He may not want to announce to the world that it was a dumb or rash move so in this way he saves some face. I'd be surprised if he ever did it again.

[Stradling]

I've put my hand in that flame on the stove, and gave me 2nd degree burns.

But i can't tell you I won't do it again. Its just reactions.

Oh yea? Who were you competing against?

[Tyler]

Sounds like it happened in the kitchen. Probably his wife?

[Stradling]

It could also be pride or stubbornness. He may not want to announce to the world that it was a dumb or rash move so in this way he saves some face. I'd be surprised if he ever did it again.

Its not pride, its not stubbornness. It is simply reacting. I struggle to understand how you guys don't get it. These guys are competitive and they react, hell if they think too much it might do more harm than good. Haven't you guys ever done something stupid and you really can't explain why you did it? I remember playing football in the street on Thanksgiving day when I was about 16. I dove for a ball on the asphalt. I don't know why I did it other than to try and catch a ball in a meaningless game of football. I've seen high school runners that are trained to run through the finish line jump to the finish line because they were reacting. It sucks that he got hurt and I don't want him to dive into first, but I understand why it happened and won't crucify him for it.

[fan_since79]

In 2011 he broke his arm diving into home plate.

 

In 2014 he tore a ligament diving into 1st base.

 

Now he says he might do it again.

 

Something's wrong here.

[Torridd]

Its not pride, its not stubbornness. It is simply reacting. I struggle to understand how you guys don't get it. These guys are competitive and they react, hell if they think too much it might do more harm than good. Haven't you guys ever done something stupid and you really can't explain why you did it? I remember playing football in the street on Thanksgiving day when I was about 16. I dove for a ball on the asphalt. I don't know why I did it other than to try and catch a ball in a meaningless game of football. I've seen high school runners that are trained to run through the finish line jump to the finish line because they were reacting. It sucks that he got hurt and I don't want him to dive into first, but I understand why it happened and won't crucify him for it.

I'm not crucifying him, but I disagree with your "reaction" theory. He's not a puma or monkey, he's a person. That means he can learn from his mistake. Just because he's an aggressive athlete doesn't mean he has to play without any sense.

 

It's the same with him laying off a high fastball. You know you shouldn't do it, so don't.

[Stradling]

It's the same with him laying off a high fastball. You know you shouldn't do it, so don't.

I'll tell Mark Trumbo

[Homebrewer]

I think it is great to see him wanting it so bad as to do something like that. Certainly better than last season when he was looping down the lines and laughing after K's.

He isn't exactly bright, but it is good to see him giving it his all, even if it is in a dumb way.

That is the only positive I can find in something that cost the team it's hottest hitter for a 2 month DL stint.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Homebrewer

[jshep]

In 2011 he broke his arm diving into home plate.

 

In 2014 he tore a ligament diving into 1st base.

 

Now he says he might do it again.

 

Something's wrong here.

Hey, no one ever said most athletes are particularly smart.

[fan_since79]

I think it is great to see him wanting it so bad as to do something like that. Certainly better than last season when he was looping down the lines and laughing after K's.

He isn't exactly bright, but it is good to see him giving it his all, even if it is in a dumb way.

That is the only positive I can find in something that cost the team it's hottest hitter for a 2 month DL stint.

 

Actually, it could cost us for an even longer time. There's the question of how long it takes for a hitter to get his swing back and his timing down, to the point where he's comfortable facing live pitching again. That's what Spring Training was for. Hamilton was locked in after a month of preseason at-bats.

There's also the unknown of how the injury to the thumb will affect his grip. Will that be 100% right away?