how much play or i guess it might be called travel (not sure on terms) should i have in my shift linkage if any. royu can move the rod back and forth i guess about an inch when at rest. I was thinking it should be tight. should it be tight or loose like that.

 

i just measured..i guess it moves more like a half inch

 

Try to determine where the play is. There will be some in the shift arm itself where it goes into the transmission in rotation, not side play.