Major League Baseball intends to strictly enforce the obstruction rule around the bases this season, instructing umpires to be more diligent in calling the infraction, according to sources.
The league held a videoconference call with managers on Wednesday to inform teams.
Obstruction is indefined 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.
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.