[legend]

I do not know how they could prove or disprove it, but I would love to see the guys on that show "Mythbusters" do a segment on timing guys running through the bag and then guys diving in headfirst. It would be interesting to see how they would approach this situation.

[EmpireWF]

Isn't it a fact that sliding head first is yet the slower way to get to the base. It's physics...they tell you when you're running the track. Don't jump past the finish line, run through with your motion and you'll take less time to go through. That's why I never understood guys like Robby Alomar who use to slide headfirst into 1st...it's a better way to get injured then to be safe.

[ThePundit]

Empire has hit it on the head. When have you ever seen a sprinter in Track & Field dive through the tape? NEVER.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Empire has hit it on the head. When have you ever seen a sprinter in Track & Field dive through the tape? NEVER.

errr...actually when they start to fall behind...press really hard...lean...lose their balance and tumble foward...example: 1972 Olympics 800 meters men...1983 World Champinoships women's 1500 meters...Hey you asked...

although many of you disagree that sliding head first into first base makes you faster, how many of you actually play baseball or just watch it and listen to other people...I am a college baseball player and I can definitely tell a difference when sliding into first...now I do agree that sliding into first is slower once you hit the ground due to friction, but if you dive instead of slide it for sure is faster...I frequently dive into first on close plays and often am safe....also, depending on the person, sliding can be slower, but for some it is faster....and for all of you wondering about the sprinter comment posted, there are 2 major reasons sprinters don't dive....(1.) the track is usually much harder than the ground on a baseball field and (2.) sprinters times stops when their chests cross the tape...their arms are not included when crossing the finish lines or every sprinter would be sticking their arms out at the finish....these r the reasons sprinters don't dive over the finish!

Since someone mentioned physics, the physics are basically that your center of gravity is moving at a steady rate (horizontally), so by laying out, you make yourself 'longer', getting your arms or legs to the bag before your CG gets there. Running through (upright), with your CG about in your middle, means you get there slightly later.

If you slide, actually hitting the dirt before you get to the bag, then your CG is no longer moving at a constant horizontal rate (you're slowing down from friction), so you would need to lay out in the air, hitting the dirt and the bag at the same time, with your finger tips.