Watch: Spring training call provides jarring preview of new MLB rules emphasis

A new emphasis on one existing rule is already causing frustration among baseball fans before the regular season has even started.

MLB plans to more strictly enforce the rules around obstruction of bases in 2024, and fans got their first look at what that might be like during Thursday’s spring training game between the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers. Detroit catcher Carson Kelly was thrown out by some distance on a stolen base attempt during the game, but was called safe due to supposed interference from Francisco Lindor.

On replay, it was quite tough to see anything about the play that constituted interference. The call was made because Lindor was on the first-base side of the bag, meaning he was technically blocking the base and interfering with the runner’s ability to slide into it.