Diving into first...

[jdcii]

I don't know how to embed videos, but this shows that diving into first is actually slower than running thru the bag.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152763613373116&fref=nf

 

[FastBat]

Yes, sliding into first makes you slower. Running hard through the base makes you faster, I was taught this as a kid.

 

[daytonfp]

Yes, sliding into first makes you slower. Running hard through the base makes you faster, I was taught this as a kid.

Same here.

 

[JoeA1010]

Good video. Hosmer diving into first might have cost KC that game and the World Series.

The other thing that almost all girls do is leap into first base. First, it slows you down. And second, and I think even more important, it gives the umpire a very clear view of the out because it is easy to see the foot 1-2 feet above the base.

 

[JoeA1010]

Oh, and while I'm at it, what is worse than the dive into first or the leap into first is the slide-by. Occasionally a slide-by is called for and helpful, maybe 10% of the time. But otherwise, I've so many slide-bys turn safes into outs that it's sickening. Unless you know you are going to be out, forget the slide-by. Play on 60-foot bases, not 65-foot bases.

 

[coachjwb]

Only time to dive into first base is if you know the throw is up the line and high ...

 

[CARDS]

Diving, Leaping, or sliding into first base not only slows down the attempt to be safe at first it puts the fielder and runner at risk of injury.
In High School ball I witnessed two nasty injuries with a lady not running through the bag. One was a late decision to slide into first where the runner broke her ankle the other was a lady stretching out or leaping to the bag in a drizzle rain. Her foot slipped off the back of the bag then dug into the dirt. Her knee buckled bending in the opposite direction in which it was intended. Not sure if she needed surgery but it was obviously painful. This also increases the risk of knee injury to a first baseman if the runner was to collide or clip them in the side of the leg.

 

[MD 20/20]

Oh, and while I'm at it, what is worse than the dive into first or the leap into first is the slide-by. Occasionally a slide-by is called for and helpful, maybe 10% of the time. But otherwise, I've so many slide-bys turn safes into outs that it's sickening. Unless you know you are going to be out, forget the slide-by. Play on 60-foot bases, not 65-foot bases.

If you are referring to a hook slide at 2nd base, I could not agree less. My team has stolen no less than 10 bases this fall alone because of the hook slide. Is it always the way to go into a base? No, but when you should it's advantageous, for sure.

 

[Louuuuu]

Only time to dive into first base is if you know the throw is up the line and high ...

Which, as a base runner, how would you know? If it's that high and that wide, you're safe anyway.

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

This is an advanced skill but here is where it can be advantageous: I had a girl with a softball IQ of 150. She made these intangible plays at SS and running bases that were just instinctual and often seemed like wizardry .. She would tag runners out on steals at the bag without touching them, stole a couple bases where she walked casually halfway before taking off... and never got caught in her trickery, so I let her go. This was at 16U.

Another thing she would do is read the first baseman to see where the ball was coming and if she sensed a high throw, she would dive or slide feet first into the bag, making it awfully difficult for the umpire to watch her touch and the ball hit the back of the mit at the same time. Both times, she was called safe (tie goes to the runner theory). She would also pop up early to sell it. But for the most part, it is a bad practice and does actually slow you down. Run through 1st base, unless you practice Wizardry like this young lady.

 

[spartansd]

Sliding into first is just bad business.

The only time it makes sense is to avoid a tag from a throw up the line.