The Art of the Slide: How to Avoid Those Awkward Base-Touching Blunders in MLB The Show 23
Ah, the slide. A glorious ballet of athleticism, desperation, and the constant fear of looking like a total doofus. In MLB The Show 23, mastering the slide separates the Pete Rose hustlers from the Manny Machado base-stompers (though hey, Manny can mash a dinger, so we'll let that one slide... for now).
So you wanna ditch the deer-in-headlights impression at first base? Here's your crash course in becoming a sliding samurai:
Slide 101: It's All in the Thumb
First things first, forget about those fancy dance moves your controller can do. Sliding is all about the right thumbstick. Hold down that bad boy with the mighty L1 button (or its Xbox equivalent) and then... well, this is where things get interesting.
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Upward Flick: The Headfirst Hero - Channel your inner Superman with a headfirst dive. This slide is great for avoiding tags, but watch out, it can also eat up precious milliseconds if you're in a close race.
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Downward Flick: The Speedy Feet - Need to get that steal sign in record time? A feet-first slide is your friend. It's the Usain Bolt of slides, shaving valuable seconds off your time. But be warned, you'll be exposed for a longer tag attempt, so make sure that throw is off the mark!
Taking it to the Next Level: Slide Like a Champ
Now that you've mastered the basic slide, let's spice things up. By flicking the right thumbstick in diagonal directions, you can combine slide type and direction. For instance, flicking up and right gives you a headfirst slide that aims for the righthand side of the base, perfect for those close calls down the line.
But Wait, There's More! The Art of the Fake Slide
Feeling frisky? You can actually fake a slide altogether by tapping L1 briefly without flicking the right thumbstick. This can throw the defender off balance and create a bigger window to reach the base safely. Just remember, a whiffed fake slide looks worse than a bad toupee, so use it wisely!
Bonus Tip: Practice Makes Perfect (and Less Hilarious)
Don't be that guy who wipes out trying to slide into first in a crucial moment. Head over to practice mode and get comfortable with those slide controls. Imagine the look on your opponent's face when you turn a potential double play into a safe steal with a perfectly timed headfirst dart!
So there you have it, folks. With a little practice, you'll be sliding into bases like a seasoned pro, leaving defenders scratching their heads and announcers raving about your "aggressive baserunning." Now get out there and steal some wins (and maybe some hearts with your newfound sliding grace)!
