Utility infielder
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A utility infielder (UI) is a baseball player, usually one who does not have a regular starting role on the team and who is capable of playing more than one of the four defensive infield positions:[1] second base, third base, shortstop, and less typically first base. Utility infielders are generally considered excellent defensive players who do not hit well enough to remain in the starting lineup,[2] but can fill in at multiple defensive positions to give the various starters a rest, or replace a starter late in a game to provide improved defense when the team is winning.
Examples of current utility infielders include Geoff Blum[3], John McDonald, and Ronnie Belliard.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Simon, Thomas P. (2004). Deadball stars of the National League. Brassey's. pp. 173. ISBN 1574888609. http://books.google.com/books?id=gEHVs0v0eIkC&pg=PA173&dq=utility+infielder&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=FYKrS7bvKYqizQT83rmIDg&cd=23#v=onepage&q=utility%20infielder&f=false.
- ^ Swaine, Rick (2004). Beating the breaks: major league ballplayers who overcame disabilities (2 ed.). McFarland. pp. 66. ISBN 0786418281. http://books.google.com/books?id=wu1cJHb4yo0C&pg=PA66&dq=utility+infielder&lr=&as_brr=3&ei=FYKrS7bvKYqizQT83rmIDg&cd=29#v=onepage&q=utility%20infielder&f=false.
- ^ Fallas, Bernardo (March 23, 2010). "Blum understands role with Astros". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/6925705.html. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ^ Jackson, Tony (March 20, 2010). "Torre has confidence in Belliard at first". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/news/story?id=5013050. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
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