Ahead of the 2024 season, MLB officials are looking for umpires to "strictly enforce" the obstruction rule, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
"Obstruction is defined as the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner," Rogers wrote. "The league is focused on the latter part of the rule as it believes infielders are blocking runners' paths to the bag under the guise of fielding the ball from a teammate."
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.