New Obstruction Emphasis Called for 1st Time in Spring Training

2024's new obstruction rule point of emphasis got its first call of Spring Training as 3B Umpire Nick Mahrley called Angels third baseman Luis Rengifo for illegally blocking Cubs baserunner Chrisopher Morel's return slide into third base before Rengifo fielded pitcher Reid Detmers' throw. The ensuing base award enabled Morel to score Chicago's first run of the afternoon, despite Morel having been obstructed while sliding back into third base and not trying for home.

As announced in February, MLB's obstruction point of emphasis instructs umpires to call violations of Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(1) when a fielder blocks the runner's base path without possession of the ball, or if fielding the ball (without possessing it), blocks the runner's path unnecessarily (e.g., the fielder did not need to occupy that space to receive the throw.

This allows the definition and rule to remain unchanged: "Obstruction is 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," while deeming that a violation of OBR 6.01(h)(1) has occurred if the fielder, for instance, sticks a knee into the runner's path without the ball, or performs some other impeding action that isn't strictly necessary to field a thrown ball.

Finally, OBR 6.01(h)(1) states, "The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base they had last legally touched before the obstruction," which is why baserunner R3 Morel, having reached third on the prior play, was awarded home plate. Note that this mandatory base award applies only to Obstruction Type 1 (Type A) and only to the obstructed runner. When no play is being made on an obstructed runner at the time of obstruction (Obstruction 2 / B), the base awards are made to "nullify the act of obstruction."

The scoring on this is an error charged to the fielder.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Cubs score when 2024's Obstruction POE makes first appearance in Spring Training