How fast can you get to first base?

by Dex on Sep 12, 2007 8:01 AM PDT in News

That was some kinda win last night. I still can't quite believe that you guys decided to fill up the second Open Thread, but I was asleep by then, dreaming that assassins were trying to hunt me down to steal my kidneys, but luckily my years of formal dance training translated into a very effective form of kung fu, which I used to fend off my attackers before turning into a cat and getting stuck in a tree in Coronado.

But I digress...

I was thinking about those lineups that were being discussed yesterday, and I think I want to stick with my Bard in the 8 spot. It's a bit more of a relaxed spot, though it is important and I realized that BA with RISP is something that I kinda feel is imaginary. On a slightly related note, True Blue LA found an article talking about how sliding into first base is the best move to get there quicker. At first, I was like, "PSHAW". Even if you get there slightly quicker by diving, it puts you in danger of getting stepped on, and if there's one thing I learned from all the snails I met on all the sidewalks I've walked, getting stepped on is not pleasant.

However, that being said, I propose we use this knowledge as a way to revolutionize baseball. Give the batters padded gloves around the knuckles and have them slide head first into first base whenever there's a play that requires the first baseman to get pulled to participate in the play. In any sort of race situation, a diving player will not only be slightly quicker (according to this article), but will also provide a distraction that I propose will make a racing first baseman or pitcher have to slow up and/or miss a receiving ball. The extra padded gloves are for if they batter gets stepped on.

Man, that would be rad.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Will we get to see

some of that formal dance training on tonight's vlog?

by Winfield's Ghost on Sep 12, 2007 8:36 AM PDT reply actions

Dr. Nathan is a nut case

the guy has been stuck in the same program for 30 years and his disertation is marginal at best...but I digress.

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. " ~Frank Sinatra

by Sammy G on Sep 12, 2007 9:54 AM PDT reply actions

Dex...on his way to first.

Getting out of the box as quick as possible is key...

by Jonny Dub on Sep 12, 2007 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

Slide into consciousness

The moment you leave your feet, you (& your c.o.g.) are no longer being propelled forward, you are instantly decelerating. If any part of your body touches the ground before your hand is on the bag, it causes more friction, slowing you down even more. So you can swan-dive into first, if you'd like... but you're still missing those last two steps of forward thrust. :D

Physics is sexy.

The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world.

by Axion on Sep 12, 2007 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

last 2 steps of forward thrust

What if by losing those last 2 steps, you instead gain a greater thrust in the form of a jump and shorten the distance required since you're stretching out more effectively? When I jump, my forward thrust is much greater than when I take a running step, so if it's better than twice as great, I'm actually benefiting even if I lose two steps.

by Dex on Sep 12, 2007 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions

if this is true

then why don't track and field runners slide across the finish line?

I call BS

by thenerdhater on Sep 12, 2007 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions

it'd be more of a jump I think

And the jump would have to be timed correctly. Sort of the same way a long jumper will run away from the pit to get an idea of where he would start, ballplayers would have to do the same thing to get an idea of exactly what step he's going to make his leap at. Sprinters couldn't do the same thing because they'd have to make sure that they stay in their lanes immediately after crossing the finish line or else they'd be penalized for crossing into another lane.

I also don't think there would be as much of a slide as there would be a jump and land either on the base or touch it while in midair with an outstretched hand.

by Dex on Sep 12, 2007 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Also...

Sprinters do lean into the finish line to try to get their noses in. If they were to run in that same lean the whole way, they'd lose balance, but they can sacrifice it at the very end because they know they just have to stay on their feet for another split second.

by Dex on Sep 12, 2007 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed completely

the only time that sliding into a base is quicker is when it's a base you cannot overrun (i.e. every base but first). In those instances, you wind up accelerating into the bag instead of trying to slow down enough to stay on the base.

by Phantom on Sep 12, 2007 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions