Major League Baseball (MLB) has been proactive in addressing the enforcement of obstruction rules, particularly focusing on plays that hinder a runner's progress on the base paths. This season, umpires have been instructed with new guidance on what constitutes an obstruction call, a move that has sparked discussion among fans and analysts. The enforcement came into the spotlight with a recent call against Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor for obstruction during a steal play at second base. The umpire, Brennan Miller, ruled that Lindor's placement of his foot in the runner's path without possession of the ball was a violation, an incident that analysts argue does not align with the intended enforcement of the new guidance. This incident underscores MLB's 2024 emphasis on ensuring the game's rules are followed more strictly. Meanwhile, as MLB navigates these rule enforcements, the Boston Red Sox have maintained a low-drama spring, focusing on positive team dynamics amidst scandals affecting other top teams.
In @nytopinion “For all the success of last year’s rule changes, how many more eyeballs might baseball draw if teams treated one an other to a little more loudmouthed bravado?” Rafi Kohan writes. https://t.co/97lbqBjsU5
ICYMI So you think, after one year, you have a good idea what New Rules Baseball looks like, huh? Ha! Are you familiar with how modern front offices think? They've been digging in on how to "exploit" these rules better. Here's my look at what's coming. https://t.co/3Mo2TjndC5
Letters to the Editor: Baseball's timeless rhythms may be boring to you. To fans, they're poetry (via @latimesopinion) https://t.co/l73VzoJHB6 https://t.co/SmJpHEeRrY
Letters to the Editor: Baseball's timeless rhythms may be boring to you. To fans, they're poetry (via @latimesopinion ) https://t.co/l73VzoJHB6
2B Umpire Brennan Miller called Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor for obstruction on a steal play at second base because the New York infielder put his foot into the runner's path without the ball, a play MLB hopes to address with its 2024 point of emphasis. https://t.co/fZty5xrTPA https://t.co/1NEkW76T14
Is there something to be said for a low-drama spring? As scandals and disasters rock the Dodgers and other top teams, the Red Sox have managed to keep the vibes positive, writes @jtomase 🔽 https://t.co/AfWnL4THrT
All spring, MLB has been sending videos to umpires showing what the new obstruction call should look like. As I wrote in this column on New Rules Baseball, Season 2…this call on Lindor isn’t it! https://t.co/TemawaHYsp https://t.co/SKUuHMUoYz
It's not a new rule. Obstructing the progress of runners on the base paths - including by blocking a runner's slide with your foot - has always been against the rules. It's just now being enforced. https://t.co/vSYDMMaLgV