The Art of the Slide: How to Avoid Being Tagged Out Like a Chump in MLB The Show 22 (PS4)
Ah, the slide. A thing of beauty (sometimes), a source of frustration (often), and the ultimate decider between baserunning glory and a highlight reel for all the wrong reasons. Fear not, fellow The Show players, for I, your friendly neighborhood gamer guru, am here to break down the mechanics of the slide with the finesse of a seasoned announcer and the humor of a drunken umpire.
But First, Why Slide?
Is it to look cool? Maybe a little. But mostly, it's about avoiding that pesky tag. A well-timed slide can turn a close play into a safe one, leaving the opposing team scratching their heads and muttering about "robbed" hits. Remember, a base is a base, no matter how dirty your cleats get.
Slide School 101: It's All in the Stick
The key to a successful slide lies within your trusty right thumbstick. Here's the crash course:
- Downward Slide: Feeling classic? Flick the stick down for a feet-first slide. This is your go-to for most situations, offering a good balance of speed and control.
- Upward Slide: Live on the edge? Go headfirst with an upward flick of the stick. It's faster but trickier to control, perfect for those daring steals of home (or those times you completely misjudged the distance to the base).
- Left/Right Slide: Need to hug the bag or avoid a defender? Flick the stick left or right to determine which side of the base your player dives towards.
Pro Tip: Hold L1 (the left bumper) while sliding in Road to the Show or Player Lock for a "contextual slide." The game will decide the safest slide type based on the situation. Great for those who, like me, sometimes have the reflexes of a sloth wearing oven mitts.
Now You're Cooking with Slide Grease: Advanced Techniques
Mastered the basic slide? You're halfway there, champ! Here's how to elevate your game from "mediocre slider" to "slide master":
- The Fake Slide: Feeling spicy? Double-tap the base button (which base depends on where you're sliding) to initiate a fake slide. This can throw the defender off guard and create an opening to sneak past the tag. But be careful! A whiffed fake slide is a one-way ticket to getting tagged out like a rookie.
- The Slide Step: This one's for the pitchers out there. Holding L1 while throwing a pitch allows you to quickly step towards the batter after releasing the ball. It can disrupt their timing and maybe even lead to a surprise pickoff attempt (though that's a whole other story).
Remember, Practice Makes Perfect (and Less Embarrassing)
Don't expect to become a sliding savant overnight. Head into Practice Mode and get comfortable with the different slide mechanics. Experiment with different timings and situations. Bonus points for trying headfirst slides into walls (not recommended in real life).
With a little practice and a dash of humor (because let's face it, half the fun of The Show is the bloopers), you'll be sliding into bases like a seasoned pro. No more embarrassing tags, no more "YOU'RE OUT!" screams from the umpire. Just pure baserunning bliss. Now go forth and conquer the diamond, you magnificent slider!
