I think part of the rocker type thing is a lot of movement, it makes it harder for the ump to see if the runner left early so they leave it go.
It is a matter of physics. The rocker method (with front foot on the face of the base) is the fastest to the next base because it has to be.
Here is what bothers me about the Rocker picture.
Front foot towards second, back foot on the face of the bag. (I'll call it the Rocker Plus!) Now I have a two foot advantage over the rocker start! (I'm at least two feet closer to the next base.) Substantially, the only difference is the push off is on dirt instead of the base. I find it difficult to imagine that the starting difference will make up the two foot advantage.
I guess I'll need empirical evidence to decide.
Here is what bothers me about the Rocker picture.
Front foot towards second, back foot on the face of the bag. (I'll call it the Rocker Plus!) Now I have a two foot advantage over the rocker start! (I'm at least two feet closer to the next base.) Substantially, the only difference is the push off is on dirt instead of the base. I find it difficult to imagine that the starting difference will make up the two foot advantage.
I guess I'll need empirical evidence to decide.
Here is what bothers me about the Rocker picture.
Front foot towards second, back foot on the face of the bag. (I'll call it the Rocker Plus!) Now I have a two foot advantage over the rocker start! (I'm at least two feet closer to the next base.) Substantially, the only difference is the push off is on dirt instead of the base. I find it difficult to imagine that the starting difference will make up the two foot advantage.
I guess I'll need empirical evidence to decide.