OT: Running through First Base vs Head First Kamakazi Lunge

Back in the day, I used to lunge head first into first base on close plays.  I've always held that a head first kamikaze lunge was faster than running through.

Note that I didn't say "sliding".  Genuine (head first) sliding into first base to gain an advantage is for sissies, and I'm more than willing to admit is slower than running through the bag.

ESPN Sports Science did a careful high motion study of running through versus diving and overlaid an instance of each technique for a comparison.

https://youtu.be/5JQMqoPR6lM?t=1m10s

ESPN's conclusion? Running through is faster than head first sliding.

But for all their effort, ESPN missed the obvious.  The head first slide instance initially pulls ahead of the run-through instance.  So...this isn't rocket science...the head first "slider" should arrive at first base while the technique is ahead.runner (at 1:19) in the video.

Now this shouldn't really be called "sliding" into first base because no sliding takes place until after the runner has reached first base.  There is an injury risk downside in that the kamikaze lunge landing is going to be more violent than the slide, as the runner will be using some angular momentum to throw his top half downward while keeping his feet on the ground driving forward.

Dogmatic proponents of the run-through technique often counter with the argument "You never see sprinters dive, do you?"  So much for that one.  Last night, Shaunae Miller stole* the gold from Allyson Felix by diving.

http://www.vox.com/2016/8/15/12495316/allyson-felix-shaunae-miller-400-…

Did this change anyone's opinion about diving into first base?

I think critics of Harold Reynold's opinion such as this sarcastic writer owe Reynolds an apology.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2014/04/11/harold-reynolds-diving-head-first-i…

*stole in the non-pejorative sense