I own a 1994 Ford Probe a it runs great just! It is my first manual car and I noticed that even when I am in gear the stick shift can be moved easyily back and forth. Is there something wrong?

an inch or so of free play is nothing unusual.

My probe did move a fair amount. A small amount is acceptable.....if it is excessive, there are plastic bushing that are between the shifter and the linkage that wear. I replaced them and that solved the problem.