Chase Utley won’t be able to take out Ruben Tejada with a violent slide anymore.
The type of rolling block slide that prompted a collision with Tejada and left the Mets shortstop’s leg broken is banned, based on rule changes announced Thursday by Major League Baseball and the players’ union.
From now on, a runner attempting to break up a double play must make a “bona fide slide,” in other words making contact with the ground in front of the base first, not the defender. The runner must be in the vicinity to reach the base with his foot or hand and remain on the bag.