Running vs Sliding to first base

[Ktulu]

Which do you think gets you to the first base bag quicker? There's been tons of arguements supporting both ways and a lot of people have good reasons for both. I think sliding would get you quicker to first base, but ONLY if you slide the right way. Watch this video to know what im talking about http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=13069823

And if anyone feels different please post why, i really wanna see your opinions

[metswon69]

The conventional argument is running all the way through is the fastest way to 1st base.

At least that's what you hear constantly but i don't know the specifics behind it.

[TrueYankee]

Gliding works best for me.

[tripleplay2007]

I've Pete Rose dived to first base a few times on instinct in my high school days and honestly I feel like I would have been out a few times if I wouldn't have. Kinda a illusion for crappy umpires and on top of that if you actually use your legs and spring yourself towards the bag I really think it helps, if you just make a weak dive to the bag then it's not gonna do ****.

[OaklandFan75]

I would say sliding. I dont believe the a$$holes who say running it out gets you there quicker

[tripleplay2007]

I'd say I was about 2/3 on dives lmao.

[YoungStuna]

I've never slid into 1st base before, it seems like a waste of energy. It makes more sense to just lengthen your stride before you hit the base running through it.

[jonnydanger1]

I was like Jeter, I had to jump the last step. I think being in mid air confuses the ump into possibly giving you the call, I don't know. I did it simply because it's what felt right, no needing to time the steps so you don't stutter step, just get within jumping range and pounce on that base. Oh for the answer to your question, I have no idea.

[metsrock229]

If you power yourself forward to dive using your legs like tripleplay said, you should definitely be there faster than running through it.

But I really don't know.

[flea]

Running through is always faster - that's why everyone does it with rare exceptions that are usually based on instict or avoiding a tag. The rules of physics still apply to baseball. If you stop running you slow down, and if you plant a good part of your body on the ground then the friction slows you down faster than with less of your body on the ground.

[tripleplay2007]

This would be good on an episode of SportScience

[Nymfan87]

Pretty sure I've read that diving is indeed faster by about a tenth of a second if you time your dive absolutely perfectly and don't hit the ground before your hand touches the base, but the vast majority of the time you just lose speed.

[giants73756]

This would be good on an episode of SportScience

Too bad their tests are almost always extremely inaccurate.

[Jeffy25]

Skip Schumaker quote

'of course I think diving into first base is faster, just like when you dive for a baseball it is faster'

I don't necessarily agree though, when catching a baseball, you are also diving to have your glove lower to the ground, and because you don't need to run through the ball like you can at first base.

But still, that's what a MLB player has to say about it. I would rather see a sports science on it personally.

[R. Johnson#3]

Running through is always faster - that's why everyone does it with rare exceptions that are usually based on instict or avoiding a tag. The rules of physics still apply to baseball. If you stop running you slow down, and if you plant a good part of your body on the ground then the friction slows you down faster than with less of your body on the ground.

This