By Sam Bush
Former Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has been memorialized by Major League Baseball.
There is now a Chase Utley Rule!
MLB and the players’ union have banned rolling blocks to break up potential double plays, hoping to prevent a repeat of the takeout by Utley that broke the leg of New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada during last year’s playoffs.
”From my understanding, we’ve been trying to work on this for a few years now,” Utley said at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ camp, ”so I don’t think one instance determined everything.”
Maybe, but fans may see it another way – the Chase Utley Rule.
Under the change announced yesterday, a runner must attempt a ”bona fide slide,” defined as making contact with the ground ahead of the base, being in position to and trying to reach the base with a hand or foot, trying to remain on the base after the slide, and sliding within reach of the base without changing his path to initiate contact with a fielder.
An umpire can call both the runner and batter out for a violation. Baserunners may not elevate or kick a leg above the fielder’s knee or throw his arm or upper body.
A runner who makes a permissible slide cannot be charged with interference, even if he makes contact with a fielder.
”I imagine there will be a little bit of an adjustment for the middle infielders, but also the baserunners,” Utley said.
Tejada missed the World Series due to the injury sustained at Dodger Stadium in the NL Division Series. Utley was suspended for two games, a penalty still under appeal.
”Did Chase catch him good? Yeah. Could Tejada have maybe done a couple things to get out of the way?,” said Phillies infielder-outfielder Cody Asche, a former Utley teammate.
Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus looked at Utley’s slide and the rule change from two perspectives.
But then he added: ”As a fielder, that’s awesome. Nobody’s going to get you if you’re out of the way.”
