Physicists Say Headfirst Slide to Base Faster, Maybe

I derided one Ronaldo Cedeño a few days ago for sliding head-first into first base. After reading the information presented by the "experts," I still maintain it's a boneheaded move. The study doesn't necessarily delve into first base, head-first slides, but it's interesting nonetheless.

over 3 years ago chilango2 9 comments 0 recs |

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Don't you think

by now with technology that teams would be testing each player on which is faster? I mean i bet some players are faster one way than the other, its not that far-fetched. But seriously, what would it take for a team to set up a timer like the 40 yard dash, but have a player to 4 runs for 90 feet. do two of them running through, then two of them sliding head first…

"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying" - Michael Jordan, the one and only...

by LPLancer23 on Sep 29, 2008 10:14 PM CDT reply actions

That study just compared sliding head first to sliding feet first.

There was no data on comparing sliding to running through the bag at first which is what we all got on Cedeno for. That issue is a no-brainer enough that even the mythbusting journalist didn’t bother to study it. As soon as you leave your feet (headfirst or feet first) gravity and friction take over and you start slowing down. The only way you’re moving toward first base is from your legs propelling you there. Once you stop running you start slowing down. Race horses and track stars push out their neck or chest right at the wire but they don’t slide or do a college football player leap into the endzone.

It would be interesting to know for each individual player which version of a slide they are faster at so he could always optimize that. If they are statistically indifferent, then I don’t know why anyone would go head first. I always preferred to have my own spikes making first contact with stationary objects like bases, infielders and armored catchers rather than my hands and head. Plus I never learned how to do a head first hook slide around someone who is already at the bag/plate. Because of the CG thing mentioned in the article I don’t think you can hook sliding head first.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Sep 30, 2008 10:05 AM CDT reply actions

Very well put

I’ll repeat what I said last week when Cedeño performed his shenanigans: “Ten out of 10 times, every umpire in this game will call you out if you slide head-first into first base.” It should never be done, and sadly, he’s not the only Cub who did it this season.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space. That day appears to be near.

by chilango2 on Sep 30, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Regardless of if it is faster or not

you’re going to be out on principle alone if you slide headfirst into first base unless you’re doing it to avoid a tag.

And you risk injury.

"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07

by RynoHoF on Sep 30, 2008 11:42 AM CDT reply actions

I agree

if you’ve got such good peripheral vision (or a good 1B coach) that you can tell the throw is off base towards home and the 1B is going to have to try to tag you out and you can slide under that, that’s great. In 50 years of playing, watching baseball I think I’ve seen that happen once or twice total. It would be interesting to talk to the umpires and see if they consciously take the attitude that we all agree they have which is if you slide on a routine play, you’re going to be out, regardless. I only saw the Cedeno example this year so I don’t know the circumstances of the others.

Tommie Agee was out.

by Weeghman Park on Sep 30, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

DeRo did it in Houston, I think

And there was another instance in a Dodgers game at Wrigley in May. Maybe Theriot.
The umps will probably just say they “calls ’em as they sees ’em.”

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space. That day appears to be near.

by chilango2 on Sep 30, 2008 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Sliding head first...

…is faster than sliding feet first, but is NOT faster than running through the bag, no way.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Sep 30, 2008 12:46 PM CDT reply actions

The one time he should have done it...

I think it is worth noting that the one time Cedeno probably should have slid into first, he didn’t. That was the game where he hit a ball into the hole and the SS had a long throw that pulled Fielder off of the bag. Fielder tried to get Cedeno with a swipe tag and just missed him. However, if Cedeno had dived into the bag, it wouldn’t have been close.

The only time it is worth it to slide into first is if you need to avoid a tag. Period. Otherwise, it is a waste and increases your chances of getting hurt.

In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband

by Ross on Sep 30, 2008 1:25 PM CDT reply actions

I submitted this to Mythbusters

a while back. They did a baseball themed episode where they measured corked bat distance, the reason for curve balls and sliding into 2B instead of just running to a stop.

They didn’t cover the sliding into 1B instead of running through, but I thought they should have so I suggested it. Haven’t seen it in an episode yet, but who knows, it could show up any time.

by CubFan81 on Sep 30, 2008 1:51 PM CDT reply actions