In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include football, baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo, softball and track.
In cricket, the term all rounder is used instead, although this generally refers to a player who can both bat and bowl competently.
The term has gained prominence in all sports due to its use in fantasy leagues, but in rugby and rugby league, it is commonly used by commentators to recognize a player's versatility.
Read more about Utility Player: Baseball, North American Football, Ice Hockey, Association Football, Basketball, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Fantasy Sports
Famous quotes containing the words utility and/or player:
“Moral sensibilities are nowadays at such cross-purposes that to one man a morality is proved by its utility, while to another its utility refutes it.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“If women were umpiring none of this [rowdyism] would happen. Do you suppose any ball player in the country would step up to a good-looking girl and say to her, “You color- blind, pickle-brained, cross-eyed idiot, if you don’t stop throwing the soup into me I’ll distribute your features all over you countenance!” Of course he wouldn’t.”
—Amanda Clement (1888–1971)