This day in Mets History 2/25/2016 By Matt Estimated read time 2 min read February 25, 2025 0 HomeUncategorizedThis day in Mets History 2/25/2016“The Chase Utley Rule”While Rubén Tejada may not be a common name across the baseball world, he did, as the result of a dirty slide by Chase Utley help create a rule that has changed how runners slide into base. What Happened to Rubén Tejada?In Game 2 of the 2015 NLDS, Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley made a hard slide into second base attempting to break up a double play.His slide took out Mets shortstop Rubén Tejada, causing a fractured fibula.The play was not ruled interference, leading to backlash and calls for a rule change.The New Rule:MLB revised Rule 6.01(j) (formerly covering interference on slides) to enforce safer, legal slides into second base. Under this rule:The runner must make a “bona fide slide.”This means the runner has to make a legitimate attempt to reach and stay on the base.The runner cannot initiate contact with the fielder.The slide must not go out of the baseline or make an intentional attempt to disrupt the fielder.The runner must be able to touch the base with a hand or foot.The runner must not change his path to target the fielder.If a runner violates these conditions, the umpire can call the runner and batter-runner out for interference. Matt See Full Bio