Report: MLB Plans to 'Strictly Enforce' Obstruction Rule During 2024 Season

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."

Rogers went on to explain how enforcing the obstruction rule wasn't always necessary in the past. Fielders who stood in the way of a baserunner could expect to feel some unwelcome contact.

The game has changed a lot, though, with MLB legislating out those kinds of situations for the most part. Rogers wrote how that "has led to infielders taking more liberties with blocking a base."

The renewed emphasis on obstruction aligns with MLB's attempts to enliven the action on the field.

Last year saw the introduction of larger bases and the number of "disengagements" a pitcher could make during each plate appearance. Thanks to those alterations, the number of steals across the league surged.

Beyond increasing the odds of a baserunner advancing, a more strict use of the obstruction rule could lower the risk of injury to the runner and the fielder when the runner is sliding into a base.