I’ve got an ESPN column today (once it goes live, it should be at this link), so no main entry on this site today. Instead, here’s a photo of Eric Byrnes diving into first last night. Everyone says not to do this, and with good reason: As you can see, Byrnes’s chest had already hit the ground well in advance of the base, which means he was slowing down. So why do we keep seeing ballplayers sliding head-first into first? Discuss.
Uni Watch News Ticker: Someone on eBay is claiming to have a game-used 1967 Indians vest. I was suspicious at first, because of those stretch panels — did the Tribe really wear those back in the day? As it turns out, yes, they did (with thanks to Ryan Connelly). … Small item about cycling jerseys here. … Kinda looks like Adidas inadevertently worked a swoosh into the side of the Columbus Crew (MLS) jersey (good spot by Kevin Corcoran). … Speaking of MLS, Ben Wideman notes that they’ve unveiled their all-star game logo. … If you liked yesterday’s post about Mark Penxa’s artwork, you might also like Greg Kreindler’s site (with thanks to Josh Kirshner). … Dennis Anderson proudly reports that his 15-year-old son, Eric Anderson, was voted “The Player Who Most Looks Like a Real Player” by his j.v. baseball teammates. … Why not just buy a pair of bell-bottoms and get it over with? … I’m not sure I want to know why Chris Flinn was watching The Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular, but he noticed that one of the contestants was wearing an orange Bernie Kosar Browns jersey. … Still more swimsuit litigation. … Another short workday for me today (seeing the Mets/Nats matinee at Shea, don’tcha know). See you back here tomorrow.
#1 by Robert on 05.15.08 9:25 am |
My theory is that ballplayers, as a whole, are not the most intelligent group of folks in the world, and that they play on instinct as much as anything else. What else could explain Manny’s incredible career?
Anyway, for some reason, many players’ instincts tell them incorrectly that sliding headfirst into first base will get them there more quickly, no matter how many times they are told otherwise by their coaches, teammates and good ol’ mom.
#2 by scott on 05.15.08 9:28 am |
The sports media always complains players don’t hustle enough, so I’m sure it’s in some players’ mindsets that if they slide into first, the media will praise them for hustling.
#3 by Joey Guns on 05.15.08 9:28 am |
Sliding into first should ONLY happen if you’re trying to avoid a tag by the first baseman. As Paul mentioned, it slows you down big time!
#4 by dgc on 05.15.08 9:29 am |
There’s one scenario that diving into first might be useful. If the pitcher fields the bunt goes for the tag, you might avoid the tag by diving.
Otherwise, it must be a base stealer’s instinct. You don’t see too many sluggers diving into first.
#5 by Tuffy on 05.15.08 9:30 am |
Everyone says not to do this
Well, not quite true. There is one time you should slide into first base: when the first baseman is drawn off of the bag towards home plate by a bad throw and will attempt a high tag on the runner. Then, get down!
But your general idea is correct. Since this largely ignorant manuever screams “Look at that effort!” however, I doubt you’ll see an elimination of unnecessary sliding anytime soon.
#6 by Juan Grande on 05.15.08 9:30 am |
Sliding headfirst into first base has a high CDI (Chicks Dig It) factor.
#7 by Mike Edgerly on 05.15.08 9:32 am |
In yesterday’s comments it was noted that both teams wore the same UEFA Cup font despite using different manufacturers (Rangers - Umbro, Zenit - Puma)
http://sports.yahoo....
But did anyone notice that Zenit ‘westernized’ their sponsor logo from this
http://www.colours-o...
To this?
http://sports.yahoo....
#8 by Jim on 05.15.08 9:32 am |
I think players think it’s faster to slide into first because it makes them feel like DIVING towards something is faster than RUNNING to it.
#9 by Stephen on 05.15.08 9:32 am |
Ask Martin Prado of the Braves what happens when you slide into first. Trip to the DL with strained ligaments in his thumb because he got it caught on the base as he slid in.
~E~
#10 by Juan Grande on 05.15.08 9:33 am |
David Ortiz did a “Pete Rose” into first base about two weeks ago and tweaked his surgically repaired knee enough to sit out a few games. Say what you will about Papi but “base stealer” is not a description usually used for him.
#11 by Stuby on 05.15.08 9:34 am |
I don’t have a trained eye for design, but in most of those cases, I couldn’t tell the difference between the “Good” and the “Ugly” cycling jerseys. I though the idea with a cycling jersey was to be as garish as possible.
#12 by Hank on 05.15.08 9:34 am |
Maybe these misguided players believe that by sliding head-first they can touch and hold onto the bag better than going feet-first?
There are so many disadvantages to this ‘technique’ it’s a wonder players still try this. (Then again, being smart is not a prerequiste to playing in the pros.)
#13 by Dan from PC on 05.15.08 9:36 am |
I don’t think it’s a conscious decision by most guys. When you have a chance to beat out a throw and you’re busting it down the line, you naturally tend to lean forward, a la runners in the 100m. Perhaps the lean is too much, leading to a slide.
#14 by Matt on 05.15.08 9:37 am |
When did Elvis Presley get called up by the Rays?
#15 by Robert on 05.15.08 9:39 am |
With regard to this guy, http://d.yimg.com/us...
. . . doesn’t he (and the hundreds of others like him) know that even the U.S. Navy abandoned bell bottoms a few years ago?
http://www.bigflares...
With so many younger players coming around at all levels, isn’t it time for the bulk of the Major Leaguers who still wear slacks to get their heads on straight and start dressing like ballplayers again?
#16 by Mike Edgerly on 05.15.08 9:40 am |
OOPS better shot of Russian Zenit jersey
http://www.uefa.com/...
Do they change the sponsor logo when playing on the road in “Western” Europe?
#17 by SpfldNate on 05.15.08 9:41 am |
perhaps the head first dive is an attempt to kick up some dirt and lure the umpire into making an incorrect call?
but overall, sliding head first is mostly for the, as “Juan Grande” mentioned, CDI factor.
#18 by Ditchfarmer on 05.15.08 9:43 am |
I believe in many cases it’s instict, I did it once in college, I knew in my head not to, I even told other people it was a bad idea, but on a bang bang play it seemed like a good idea at the time…and yes, I was out by an inch.
#19 by James P. on 05.15.08 9:47 am |
[url]
http://www.myfoxstl....
Cardinal fans hate the Cubs so much, they even make up really bad photoshop images of Jim Edmonds in a “Cubs uniform” for the news story of his signing with the Cubbies…
#20 by James P. on 05.15.08 9:48 am |
dang it! just copy and paste:
http://www.myfoxstl....
#21 by James Craven on 05.15.08 9:54 am |
Photo
yes, and they suffered from fucking puma lowercase suname disease. when i’m king of the world, all surnames will be in CAPITAL LETTERS. lower case bites, blows, stinks and sucks fulltime bigtime.
#22 by Billy on 05.15.08 9:55 am |
I think its because you slide/dive into other bases when stealing, trying to avoid a tag, etc. Of course, on the other bases you don’t have the option of running through the bag and have to stop as soon as you get there while avoiding a tag, something you don’t usually do at first base.
#23 by Don on 05.15.08 9:56 am |
Nice bit about cycling jerseys. I’ve always liked the Francais des Jeux jerseys best. And I’m a sucker for Slipstream’s argyles. Also like the Liquigas jerseys, but that’s partly because the name makes me laugh.
Paul would hate my father’s LSU cycling jersey. Heavy on the purple.
#24 by Perry on 05.15.08 9:57 am |
Error: Please enter the anti-spam word.
Copy your comment in case this site forces a page reload whenever you press the Back button:
Might explain head-first slides into other bases, but you don\’t have to maintain contact at first, you can overrun it.
Check out the care instructions tag on that Indians vest — \”Do not tumble or use automatic dryer\”? Wow. Did they string clotheslines in the clubhouse?
#25 by Ricko on 05.15.08 10:03 am |
Was thinking about the recent discussion that players in many organizations are encouraged–if not required–to wear their pants short and show a lot of stirrup or solid sock.
My educated guess is that’s financially motivated. Shorter pants are generally considerably less expensive than the ankle length variety. Plus, there’s no cost of tailoring them to a player’s specific height (that they get in The Show, which is one reason long pants might be considered more “professional,” i.e, the big club pays for tailoring at that level). With off-the-rack short pants, players just blouse them where they feel comfortable. Precise length is virtually irrelevant. And those shorter pants more easily pass from player to player, which is essential in a farm system.
Buying socks–at, what, $2 a pair wholesale?–probably is far cheaper than longer pants and the expenses they’d involve.
Related to this is a past mention of the white placat for NOB of Twins’ home pinstripes. That goes back to Calvin Griffith, a passionate practitioneer of perniciousness if ever they was one. Somebody told Calvin he’d save 5 or 10 grand a year (honestly don’t remember the exact figure) if he did NOB that way instead of stitching individual letters right into the jerseys and thereby limiting their re-usability cuz of all those little holes.
Guess which route he chose to take.
#26 by Ryan B. on 05.15.08 10:07 am |
Believe me, as a fan of Tottenham Hotspur, I know exactly what you’re talking about. Spurs, whose kits are manufactured by Puma, are downright irritating to me to watch when they’re playing a European cup match because of the lowercase surname lettering. It is probably my biggest pet peeve in all of the uniform world! (And that’s saying something; after all, I’m a Uni Watch reader. :P)
#27 by Dan Brown on 05.15.08 10:13 am |
I’m pretty sure that MythBusters looked at the idea of sliding vs. running through a base and found that sliding was actually a little bit faster. Granted they were looking at going 1st to 2nd so you can’t run through the bag, but maybe that’s where it comes from, although I can’t imagine your average MLBer watching the Discovery Channel.
#28 by Ian K on 05.15.08 10:13 am |
Last week I attended a charity baseball game played by the on-air hosts of the local sports station (1310 The Ticket). Only one player wore real stirrups, and unfortunately, he wore them backwards. It still looked better than most players, who opted for the sock-stripe look. And even more unfortunate, former Yankee Homer Bush (team’s manager) went for the ManRam style.
#29 by Ricko on 05.15.08 10:16 am |
That MythBusters was a joke.
Of COURSE sliding is faster going from first to second. You SLOW DOWN to avoid overunning if you don’t slide. Duh.
I couldn’t even watch the entire segment it was so boneheaded.
#30 by Robert on 05.15.08 10:19 am |
Dang, Bush looks terrible. And check out the extra material. Was he expecting to do some sliding?
The Ticket certainly did not do a very good job of selecting uniforms. This is surprising, since the morning show pays attention to uniform issues periodically, and generally have good heads on their shoulders.
#31 by Ricko on 05.15.08 10:20 am |
Evidently the guys at that Sports Talk station watch a lot of girls softball.
#32 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 10:20 am |
i think stupid ballplayers actually believe that the headfirst slide is “the quickest way” to get to a base
all one need do is watch any SNB on the WWL and you’ll hear that beacon of misinformation, joe morgan himself, extolling the virtues of the headfirst slide
i distinctly remember one SNB game and he was attempting to explain to miller exactly why the headfirst slide was superior…to which, as is his wont whenever morgan displays his utter lack of common sense or even a basic knowledge of the laws of physics, miller sat silently nonplussed
#33 by derek on 05.15.08 10:21 am |
nice story here
http://www.latimes.c...
#34 by Stuby on 05.15.08 10:22 am |
On a side note, there’s a Customs Officer at the London, Ontario Airport who’s a dead ringer for Adam Savage. He was very nice, too, when explaing that my company plane and all passengers had to leave Canada immediately. They also have much nicer uniforms than US Customs officers.
#35 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 10:25 am |
hey stuby
why did you have to leave canada immediately?
#36 by union jack on 05.15.08 10:26 am |
1 - No cheap hustle points for sliding into first, as any intelligent broadcasters I’ve heard are always quick to point out that sliding gets you there slower. I’m sure coaches know this too. Anyone who thinks ballplayers think “Hey, if I slide here it’ll look like I’m really hustling” while running to first a) falsely believe there’s actually time to think and b) grossly overestimate the intelligence of most ballplayers.
2 - I wonder, however, if there’s any advantage to be gained from DIVING INTO the base, so that your hand hits the bag just before you hit the ground. Kinda like diving back on a pickoff, but at a full sprint. Thoughts?
3 - re The Swimsuit Wars - There’s only one fair solution to insure no one gets a competitive advantage from their suits: Naked Olympic Swimming. Or, a less creative solution, just ban the damn things and make everyone wear similar kit (no full body suits, no space-age fabrics, etc unless the technology is made available to all competitors at reasonable cost). Make it clear that no records will be recognized where the high-tech suits are worn. Other sports regulate the specifics of their equipment (golf club size/design, size of baseball gloves, size of hockey goalie pads, etc), it’s time for swimming to step in.
#37 by Stuby on 05.15.08 10:28 am |
Didn’t have the right work permit, had a co-worker from Ghana who didn’t have a visa, didn’t have a copy of my college diploma. I think they were starting to make up stuff.
#38 by zach on 05.15.08 10:29 am |
two comments on the ESPN column.
1. fred couples’ cigarette looks an awful lot like a golf tee
2. larry bird is smoking during a championship celebration. aren’t celebratory cigars exempted? or if they aren’t, shouldn’t they be?
#39 by Paul Lukas on 05.15.08 10:30 am |
Agreed. I’ve always thought that leaping at the bag itself, rather than landing on the ground in front of the bag, could be an advantage. This only works at first base, since you’ll definitely slide past the bag with this method.
Only problem: B-I-G risk of jammed fingers, separated shoulders (see: Lofton, Kenny, 1997 playoffs), etc. Not worth it.
#40 by Alan #44 on 05.15.08 10:32 am |
He is a guy that “Looks most like a little leaguer”. Kudos to the Anderson family and boo to this guy.
#41 by Jim W on 05.15.08 10:38 am |
Yes, however, there\’s also risks in running it out as well - see Kendall, Jason:
http://sportsillustr...
#42 by Kenny on 05.15.08 10:41 am |
Apparently this guy disagrees about the headfirst slide
http://wiki.answers....
#43 by Jim on 05.15.08 10:41 am |
Except that as soon as your feet leave the ground you are no longer propelling yourself to the bag, in turn means your slowing down. Best method is to just run it out.
#44 by Sean on 05.15.08 10:42 am |
Those in the Mets TV Market will see Gary Cohen, Keith Hernandez, and Ron Darling call today’s Mets game against the Nationals from the Upper Decks of Shea Stadium on SNY. Yes, I know it not uni-related, but it is something Paul will get a kick out of.
As for Chris watching the TPIR $1,000,000 spectacular, it’s one of the few good non-sports shows left on broadcast television! :) The reason why you see a lot of contestants wear Cleveland Browns or Indians, jerseys is that everyone knows that Drew is originally from Cleveland. Maybe with that knowledge they can possibly get chosen to win a prize. ;)
#45 by Patrick Runge on 05.15.08 10:46 am |
Disturbing logo creep at The Police concert in Omaha last night. Drummer Stewart Copeland wore what I believe to be two Nike golf gloves throughout the show. I had nosebleed seats, but as I was watching the monitor I thought I saw a swoosh flash by. As I looked closer, I’m pretty sure Stuart was rocking the Nikes for the whole show.
Is this something common for drummers that I’ve just missed? Just wondering.
And, by the way, the show rocked.
#46 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 05.15.08 10:47 am |
So, IF someone could perfect the art of throwing themselves at first base and actually starting the slide after the base, dragging a foot across the base, it could be quicker.
And if my grandmother had wheels she’d be a wagon.
#47 by Juan Grande on 05.15.08 10:51 am |
Joe Morgan is a tool. I’m waiting for the day when John Miller turns towards him in the middle of the game, smacks him across the face, and says “I’m sorry but it had to be done.” Note to Joe Morgan: The Big Red Machine was over 30 years ago. Let it go!
Is there anyone who hates the American League more than Joe Morgan?
#48 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 10:53 am |
take this FWIW…here’s the first line from that ‘article’:
Sliding into first base (or any base for that matter) most definately [sic] gets you to the base faster
definately?
anyway…guy goes on to talk about why people dive for balls “to get to them faster of course”…not taking into account that this is the only way to field them…that’s like saying players who ‘jump’ to catch a ball laced over their heads are doing so to get there faster…there’s physics involved, to be sure, but just not the kind this guy is selling
/rant off
#49 by Juan Grande on 05.15.08 10:53 am |
He never was the same after that but he did sign a sweet contract.
#50 by Stuby on 05.15.08 10:55 am |
I’m picturing an F-16 landing on an aircraft carrier, catching the cable with the tailhook.
#51 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 10:55 am |
don denkinger?
…wait
#52 by Matt B on 05.15.08 10:56 am |
Re Gazprom: They sponsor Shalke 04 (http://cultureofsoccer.com/2007/05/08/gazproms-sponsorship-of-schalke/) in the Bundesliga and use the latin alphabet for all the stadium signs and jerseys.
#53 by Stuby on 05.15.08 10:58 am |
This is great…
http://www.theonion....
#54 by ScottyJ in WV on 05.15.08 11:05 am |
The younger Mr. Anderson does look sharp. More kids should take his lead.
The only thing I’d suggest is a lttle more curve to the bill of his cap and then it’d be perfect.
#55 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 11:09 am |
nah…that’s enough…just as long as it don’t look like joba
#56 by JWortham on 05.15.08 11:13 am |
Re: notes after the ESPN column:
That is most definitely a white golf tee in Fred Couples’ mouth.
#57 by Ricko on 05.15.08 11:15 am |
There are pretty much only two reasons for a slide, neither of which is to get you to the base faster (because it doesn’t, period):
1. Prevent overunning. Yes, you slow yourself down with a slide, but that’s because you have to stay with the bag.
2. Avoid being tagged.
Don’t know where Joe Morgan’s coming from on this, but I suppose paying attention in eighth grade science class (for example) isn’t a prerequiste for being inducted into Cooperstown.
#58 by Mike Edgerly on 05.15.08 11:19 am |
I just thought it interesting that they would take the effort to “westernize” the logo, it does make good business sense to keep Gazprom happy. In the same vein Inter and Tottenham have worn Chinese lettering recently, probably to sell shirts in the Far East and please their sponsors.
Inter: http://i210.photobuc...
Tottenham: http://www.footballs...
#59 by Jim on 05.15.08 11:20 am |
Agreed. If diving towards a base gets you there faster you’d see Olympic track sprinter diving towards the finish line, instead of leaning while RUNNING! Although it would make track and field more interesting.
#60 by Clevo on 05.15.08 11:20 am |
For all we know, that may have actually been Bernie Kosar.
I keed, I keed.
#61 by Steve on 05.15.08 11:20 am |
I think this was in Tuesday or Wednesday’s ticker.
#62 by Joey Guns on 05.15.08 11:23 am |
I know a group of girls (a college sports team) that went to a taping of the show, and one girl on the team had her name called to “come on down”. Guess where she was from. Yep, Cleveland. Supposedly they have to “screen” you, and there’s some people that are sitting there with a name tag, but their name isn’t even in the “box” to be called. I call scam……
#63 by The Ol Goaler on 05.15.08 11:24 am |
What’s really sad is that sorry photoshop image was made — not for a “fan” site — but for the site of one of the St. Louis television stations! Quality Control — whazzat?
As a Cardinal fan, however, I agree that the sight of Jim Edmonds in a Cubs uni is just going to feel wrong…
#64 by Andy on 05.15.08 11:25 am |
If diving were a faster way to get to a base, wouldn’t diving also be a faster way for a sprinter to cross a finish line?
I’m sure if diving were faster, tracks would have evolved into having “landing areas” at the finish lines to allow sprinters to dive across the line without getting hurt instead of the current method of running through them. Or, sprinters might wear special padded clothing that would allow them to dive across the line and land on the track without injury. I’m not a track and field guy, so maybe there’s a “no diving” rule I don’t know about, but I’d think if it were faster, it’d be used in races.
#65 by Bouj on 05.15.08 11:28 am |
RE: Baseball Pants
Actually, the longer pants are less of an ordeal to deal with. Almost all of the manufacturers make the long pants as the standard now. Try going to a sporting goods store and finding short pants. I’m 6′3″ and the baseball pants I have were all ankle-length until I had them hemmed so I could wear them high.
I seem to remember the consensus about why MLB players say longer pants are “more professional” is that the high pants look is favored in college and the minors, so the MLB’ers have adopted the semi-idiotic “long pants are more professional” stance to differentiate themselves.
And Homer Bush’s pants have the extra material in the knees because that is also pretty standard now on the mid-level to higher-quality baseball pants you can buy today. Again, go to a retail store and look. Most of the pants have the extra material.
#66 by Costa on 05.15.08 11:30 am |
Don’t mean to go against conventional wisdom, but some people put it to the test and found that a well executed head first slide often *is indeed* a shade faster because players often have to adjust their stride in order to avoid missing the bag. Track runners do not need to worry about this.
Of course there’s the requirement of executing it well, but if a player gets good enough at it, it’s often not a bad idea, especially if the player can already feel like they won’t naturally hit the bag in their current stride.
I’m sure that a perfectly executed dead-run that lands on the bag would be the optimum choice, but situations don’t always make that possible.
I can’t remember where I read this. I don’t think it was on a website though. I’ll try to see if I can find anything about it on Google and link it here.
#67 by Ricko on 05.15.08 11:31 am |
Yup, like all those classic newsreels of Jesse Owens diving headlong or feet first under the tape at the Berlin Olympics.
Sure, we’ve all see THOSE, haven’t we.
Not.
#68 by Rick White in Cedar Park, TX on 05.15.08 11:31 am |
That would be the right image. :)
#69 by Kenny on 05.15.08 11:33 am |
Never said I agreed with it…I actually read the first couple lines, promptly said this guy is an idiot, but it needed to be pointed out that this is where SOME people get their info
#70 by Mpowers1634 on 05.15.08 11:35 am |
I had a teammate in college who was prone do doing this. On more than one occasion, our coaches reprimanded him, stating that running to the ball was much more efficient.
Ironically, he held all of the school’s receiving records for a short while!
#71 by Ricko on 05.15.08 11:41 am |
Newton’s Law of Baserunning:
A body in motion tends to remain in motion. A body to which friction is applied (by sliding) tends to slow down.
To assume otherwise is to deny natural law.
#72 by KT on 05.15.08 11:41 am |
Why would you worry about overrunning first base?
You overrun second or third, you (potentially) get tagged out. You overrun first, you turn to the right, you’re fine. You don’t have to slow down to avoid overrunning first base.
#73 by Andy on 05.15.08 11:41 am |
Ah…the stride factor. That’s a very good point. Because you’re not just running past a line, but you have to make sure your foot lands on a certain spot at the line.
I’m sure this is why so many players occasionally trip over first base when they’re trying really hard to beat out a throw. In trying to adjust their stride their footing gets a little screwed up.
#74 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 11:42 am |
running to catch a football and sliding into first are two mutually exclusive acts…just as is diving for a baseball hit to your left or right
we’re talking about angles and physics, not the act of physically crossing a plane (as the excellent analogy of a sprinter that several readers pointed out)…
if a base is, while not a fixed plane, a destination to be crossed not ‘attached’ (as a steal would be) to…we need to know the fastest way to simply cross (and of course merely touch) that object
diving for a ball is not an act of crossing a certain plane at a given instant, so it’s not a good analogy
#75 by Mike Engle on 05.15.08 11:46 am |
Nice article, Mr. Lukas.
I had no idea you could…uh…fit so well in a jockey silk.
#76 by James P. on 05.15.08 11:47 am |
I am sure the photo department had to rush the photoshop job they did for the broadcast, but what really strick me–and why I posted it here–was the fact they just gave him a blue hat with the Cubs sleeve patch and not the red “C” logo, and they kept the jersey white with a blue undershirt. The Cubs have not worn a solid white top since 1956! http://exhibits.base...
#77 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 11:48 am |
on a semi-related note…has anyone noticed the recent spate of plays at the plate?
it seems catchers today are even less schooled in the laws of physics than their predecessors…i’ve seen, within the past week, at least THREE catchers move away and in front of home plate (thereby no longer blocking the path of a runner towards the plate) to catch a ball (not a poorly thrown ball, mind you, but one on line)…catch it, then attempt to dive back and tag the runner who, because the catcher has now vacated the space directly in front of the plate, has successfully scored
announcers have pointed out that the catcher should remain in front of the plate, wait for the ball to come to them (a split second slower, but much quicker than reaching out to catch the ball, pivot, and attempt to tag the runner)…
im sure visions of ray fosse/pete rose come to these catchers’ minds, but still…whatever happened to protecting the dish?
im not talking about an off line throw the catcher has to field away from the plate…these are good throws the catcher mysteriously decides he’s going to field “early”…
who teaches these things?
#78 by Wade on 05.15.08 11:50 am |
A few nights ago, I was watching Hockey: A People History, a documentary on hockey in Canada (10 part series). Last night it was on the Summit Series. Any Canadian who considers himself Canadian has seen all there is to see about the Summit Series. But at the end of the documentary, there was a short blip on Women’s hockey during the ’70s. There were some GREAT uniforms.
Nancy Dreger got enough interest to resurrect the University of Saskatchewan’s women’s hockey team in the ’70s. One thing though, they had to use hand-me-downs from the Boys uniforms and equipment. Not gonna lie though, some of them probably coulda passed for a guys.
One thing with the documentary, they re-create events/games that were significant to the growth of the sport. One of those games was a contest against a Minnesota team. Notice how well they re-create it… I honestly think that they painted the ice to be historically accurate, but I could be wrong. They also used the old Minnesota jerseys and equipment.
One thing I loved though, were the green striped socks that U of Sask wore. Also, notice the numbers on the front of the jerseys.
They also showed some archive footage from the ’70s. Looks like they had mouth guard straps of sorts back then. Fortunately, they didn’t have the hideous things back when I played organized hockey.
#79 by Jim on 05.15.08 11:54 am |
Why not just run and then belly flop onto the damn bag? I would like to toss that into this over lengthened disscussion.
#80 by Mpowers1634 on 05.15.08 11:58 am |
Sorry to quote myself, but I have found photographic evidence of the perpetrator in question committing said act.
Coincidentally, he did NOT make this catch against C.W. Post my sophomore year!
http://i256.photobuc...
By the way, that Kosar jersey should be headed directly to Straightcashhomey!
#81 by joe on 05.15.08 12:00 pm |
While it is true you are slowing down during the slide itself, you are running full speed and essentially jumping forward at a faster rate then you can run thereby speeding up getting to the base. A foot first slide will slow you down since yo have to slow your body down to get behind your feet.
#82 by ab on 05.15.08 12:03 pm |
Apropos of nothing, New York Giants are selling their game-issued Super Bowl jerseys on their web site. About two dozen, ranging from $300 for the rookie/ineligibles to $1,250 for bigger names. None appear to have been used.
#83 by Duckstyle on 05.15.08 12:05 pm |
To go right along this same discussion, I’m tired of every damn outfielded in baseball going the Jim Edmonds route aqnd sliding and diving for every ball. It ridiculous showboating. I remember Hawk Harrelson talking during one of the first few games this year about asking Ichiro whether it really does help you get there faster in either case, and what did he say, “No, on both.” He said the only time a dive is ever necessary is when it’s a low chopper or something and the ball was barely ever high enough during it’s trajectory to be caught any other way, any other time it just slows you down. You could either dive for it and get on tv, or run the couple more steps you could have during said dive and catch it chest/belt level, same phyics involved as with the sliding into 1st argument. And considering Ichiro is one damn fine fielder I’d tend to believe him. Btw, he also mentioned that he only dives/slides for balls when he knows there’s no chance of dropping it, aka he’s good enough to show boat a little, but most shouldn’t.
#84 by Mpowers1634 on 05.15.08 12:06 pm |
Off-Topic, but while we’re discussing carriers and fighter planes…you should all check out the series “Carrier” on PBS.
#85 by Andy on 05.15.08 12:07 pm |
Stupid idea. Your hands would be past the bag, so you’d lose time. Also, first base isn’t made of water.
#86 by joe on 05.15.08 12:08 pm |
sea, yes they did look at sliding but they only looks at feet first sliding.
#87 by Kevin on 05.15.08 12:08 pm |
He’s right. Freddy may smoke, I have no idea, but this is clearly a golf tee.
http://www.ingolfwet...
#88 by Duckstyle on 05.15.08 12:09 pm |
Scouting dept’s of MLB teams basically carry a stopwatch in their hip pocket at all times. If there was any advantage to sliding into 1st, they’d know, since it isn’t that why we see so many coaches shaking their heads when these idiots start to slide. Anyone who ever seen a spring training workout for baestealers know they spend days doing nothing but getting timed during their slides. It’s what these coaches and scouts do for a living, they know what they’re doing, the slide into 1st is slower, period, the only reasont o ever slide is to avoid a tag or to not overrun a base.
#89 by joe on 05.15.08 12:11 pm |
I think thats what they are trying to do, but they got bad aim. The problem, like you said, is the injury potential.
#90 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 12:12 pm |
#91 by joe on 05.15.08 12:13 pm |
you are no longer accelerating once you are at top speed anyway, you are maininting your speed. In order to dive forward you have to actually move even faster than you were. you just can’t land short of the base.
#92 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 12:14 pm |
no idea what happened there, but my question is “how is this possible”?
you cannot get ‘faster’ or increase your rate for forward propulsion by diving or jumping than by running full stride…it’s a constant
#93 by Ricko on 05.15.08 12:15 pm |
You can’t propel yourself (as in a dive) faster than you’re already going without doing a bit of “launching” using your legs. To do that you have to SLOW DOWN, even if just a bit, thereby likely offsetting all or most of the gain. Otherwise it’s just falling forward at the same speed or slower.
Can’t compare to long jumper whose object is to jump farther, not to, as someone else said, break a fixed plane as quickly as possible.
Look at it this way. Tell a ballplayer he doesn’t have to stay with the bag and he’ll say, “Good, if I can overrun it, I don’t have to slow down and I’ll get there faster.”
Do not, as a friend of mine used to say, “analyze the snot out of it.”
#94 by joe on 05.15.08 12:17 pm |
#95 by Joe on 05.15.08 12:21 pm |
I think sometimes sliding head first is a deceptive tool. Majority of the time the umpire is standing behind the bag an if your hands are on the ground as is Eric Byrnes’ it might appear your sfae when you might be a couple inches from the bag due to bag blocking umpire’s view. this is why i have done it soemtimes.
#96 by LI Phil on 05.15.08 12:24 pm |
a good umpire’s view wouldn’t be blocked…unless he’s lying on the ground
#97 by joe on 05.15.08 12:27 pm |
#98 by Philly Bill on 05.15.08 12:28 pm |
If you dive into first like Eric Byrnes and hurl yourself all over the outfield for batted balls unnecessarily — like, um, Eric Byrnes — you will be called “gritty” and “a gamer” who “plays the game the right way”, and you will become disproportionately popular among casual fans, and troglodytes like Joe Morgan will praise you, and Fox will hire you as a guest analyst.
(But only if you’re a white guy. There are no Latino “gamers”.)
#99 by Duckstyle on 05.15.08 12:29 pm |