Why do baseball players slide with the head first?

Question

Well it seems to me that sliding head first puts you in more danger because you're putting your head out there instead of your feet, and your head can get injured. So, is it faster to get to the base by diving head first rather than sliding feet first?

Answer 1

It can be a tiny bit quicker to slide head first rather than feet first. Except at first base - it's much faster to run through. Players who slide at first  base put "looking cool" ahead of playing to help their team win.

I think fewer players get serisously injured sliding head first rather than feet first. Many of the most horrible injuries I've seen in baseball are a result of sliding feet-first (broken/dislocated ankles). Head first slides occasionally jam fingers, but the head is usually protected by the helmet.

Answer 2

You run with your head in front of your feet.  Might as well keep it that way.  Plus it is easier to control where you tag the base with your hands than your feet.

Answer 3

why do birds fly south for the winter?

i mean its like that they slide head first either because its a spilt second or they think they are better head first than foot first.  

yes it is dangeroud but sometimes it is better than foot because if you have longer arms than yea.

its also easier and faster

hope this helps.

Answer 4

You get to the base quicker by sliding head first.

Answer 5

it s faster gives u more options to reach

Answer 6

Personally the reason that i slide headfirst is because i know that i can dodge the tag much easier with my arms instead of my legs that stay straight. I think that it has a lot less to do with speed and more with vision and reaction (if you see the ball coming to one side of the base or the other)

Hope this helps

Answer 7

It's faster to get to the base sliding head first because you don't need a lot of momentum appose to sliding feet first.