Commonly known as “the Chase Utley rule” after the Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman slid hard into New York’s Ruben Tejada and injured the former Mets infielder during the National League Division Series last season as he broke up a potential double play, the new rule ensures runners must make an attempt at a slide.
Under the new Rule 6.01(j), a runner has to make a “bona fide slide,” which is defined as making contact with the ground before reaching the base, being able to and attempting to reach the base with a hand or foot, being able to and attempting to remain on the base at the completion of the slide (except at home plate) and not changing his path for the purpose of initiating contact with a fielder.