Why did Orioles’ Cowser dive into first? | MAILBAG

Question: I’m curious. I’m a longtime baseball fan, going back to Mark Belanger, Brooks, Jim Palmer and others, and it seems I’ve been hearing for years that studies show it’s faster to get to first base by running through the base and not diving.

Yet, how often do we see a current player like Colton Cowser dive?  As a reporter, can you mention to him it’s faster to run through first base and there’s a much lesser chance of injury when you run through it. From: Mark in Panama

Answer: Mark, it’s nice to have such a loyal reader in Panama. Many readers, including yourself, have written in criticizing Cowser’s dive into first base.

I have long disliked the dive into first, and I think it was foolish, and it’s obviously going to hurt the team because he’s out for at least six to eight weeks.

It’s not my business to give players advice. They have enough qualified coaches and a manager to do that, but I appreciate your passion.

Question: When the Orioles send a player to the Norfolk, does it cause a snowball-type effect? For example Liván Soto gets sent down at the last minute. Does someone then get sent down from Norfolk to Chesapeake, then a player from Chesapeake to Aberdeen, then one to Delmarva until someone is released? From: George Knatz

Answer: George, that happens on occasion, but sometimes players are recalled to Norfolk directly from Aberdeen or Delmarva if it’s thought they’ll only be needed for a few days. Then, they’re returned to the IronBirds or Shorebirds.

Many times players are sent from Delmarva to extended spring training in Sarasota when there isn’t enough room for them.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.