KANSAS CITY – Defensive shift limits have been in effect since the beginning of the 2023 season, but Thursday afternoon was the first time a team has challenged a shift violation.

In the top of the eighth inning of the Mariners’ 2-0 win over the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, Dominic Canzone hit a 109 mph grounder to second baseman Michael Massey, who threw to first base for an out -- until it wasn’t.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson asked the umpiring crew for a replay review on whether Massey had violated defensive shift limits and whether his heels were touching the grass when the ball was hit to him.

It turned out to be the case: The play was overturned, Massey was given an error on a shift violation, and Canzone was awarded first base. That knocked Royals starter Stephen Kolek from the

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