Sliding into First

[Kelvarr]

I don't know if you guys knew this or not, but you can slide (head first, feet first, any way you want) into First Base in order to beat a throw. I did it in a game last night that the shortstop had to dive for.

If this is old news, I apologize...I just haven't seen anything on it, and I kind of did it by accident.

[NYM]

I slide into first on routine plays.....I usually end up regreting what heppens because you have a better chance of beating it out running then sliding. Its vice versa in real life.

[JoeRudi26]

I found out by accident. :)

[KerryW]

Sliding slows you down though. The only reason why players do this is to either avoid a tag or to slow down while approaching the bag...Therefore, sliding towards 1st really has no point to it.

[peterbernard]

Yeah I do it sometimes on singles when I already had him ready to head to second and then I changed my mind. It's easier than having him pass the bag and head back, and less chance of the outfielder throwing him out. Although I lost a 1-run game the other night when the right fielder caught a Rickey Henderson single then threw him out at first before he reached the bag--something that could never happen even if it were Rickey now at age 46! Maybe I should have had him slide THAT time...

[NYYKing]

i knew this since mvp 2004 came out

[pitchleague]

I've found out the hard way to only slide into first on a close play. If you slide into first just for the fun of doing it, you risk injury. I lost A-Rod for 39 days due to injury when I was messing around with it! Won't be doing that anymore!

[dacks]

can you slide into first using the keyboard controls in 2005 and if you can what button/ buttons?

[nick]

Why would you slide into first?

[Kelvarr]

Why would you slide into first?

there are some situations that warrant it.

[Sac51]

If you lay down a bunt for a bunt single, some speedy guys slide into 1st with there left hand first to the bag.

Same story in MVP 2005...I did it couple time with Cristian Guzman and Ichiro 8)

[nick]

But doesn't that slow you down?

[TROR]

it does, Going full speed at first almost always gives you the best chance.

[ELDoro]

Robby Alomar said it best......if sliding into first really slows you down then why would you ever dive for a ball while fielding :)

[bleedblue23]

Robby Alomar said it best......if sliding into first really slows you down then why would you ever dive for a ball while fielding

Yeah and he only seperated his shoulder how many times? Thats one grip I have about MVP, no injuries heighten when sliding into first. Not to mention pitchers getting nailed by balls and not getting a scratch.

[big shmooz]

No injuries? pitchleague, just said that he lost A-Rod for 39 games. Also as far as pitchers getting hurt when they are hit, I lost a pitcher to a broken nose when he got hit in the face on a comeback line drive.

[polarisslbm]

I had a pitcher get injured when he slid into second base to take out the short-stop, for forty-four games. That made me sad, because I needed him! :)

[Kelvarr]

Yeah and he only seperated his shoulder how many times? Thats one grip I have about MVP, no injuries heighten when sliding into first. Not to mention pitchers getting nailed by balls and not getting a scratch.

You could always turn up your baserunning injury slider then.

[indianajones]

thats not accurate. i've seen a few pitchers get nailed by balls and were out for various times. I lost Mark Mulder for 3 weeks after getting hit with a ball

[acpython1]

The only time sliding into first helps is if the throw forces the first baseman to block the baseline.

If you just run, your player will be pushed back by the first baseman making the stretch. If you slide, you won't get clipped off the path. It's a small difference in speed, but sometimes, it's all you need.

[nick]

Now I got it, thanks.

[nittanylionfan3]

Yea they get hit by a line drive, make the play and then get injured.

[Kelvarr]

Yea they get hit by a line drive, make the play and then get injured.

They don't always make the play...

[Pedro_s_Midget]

Robby Alomar said it best......if sliding into first really slows you down then why would you ever dive for a ball while fielding

That makes no sense. The difference between sliding and diving for a ball is the part of your body that needs to touch. When running to a base, your lead foot is enough to get you there, when fielding a ball, your arm needs to get to the farthest point as quick as baseball. As a Mets fan, I have lost loads of repect for Alomar the way he screwed us.

It is accepted that the only reason to slide head first into first base is to avoid a tag, ie. it was an errant throw and the first baseman was pulled off the bag up the line towards home plate, and his only chance would be to slap a tag on you.

I have always wondered why its more dangerous to slide hide first into first than any other base? Is the 1st base bag anchored more deeply or something?

[Kelvarr]

I have always wondered why its more dangerous to slide hide first into first than any other base? Is the 1st base bag anchored more deeply or something?

No...it has to do with the special rule for first base. First base is the only base that you can safely overrun. Because of that, players do not slow down as they are approaching the base. Additionally, you have the 1st baseman in the picture. There is the possibility of an errant throw, him stepping on you, etc as you slide.

There is no real greater injury factor of sliding into first, provided you know how to slide properly. That is why little leaguers and probably some HS are taught not to slide into 1st when you can simply overrun it.