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I believe a great many umpires are trying to read too much into the rule, or find a way to put what they feel SHOULD be the rule into the rule ... when it's not there. Until they change the rule, this is incredibly simple.
Does the fielder have the ball? Yes or No. If they do, then they can be wherever they want. If they do NOT (forget about any right-of-way arguments, or about-to-receive discussions - do they HAVE the ball), they cannot impede the runner in ANY way.
Keep it simple. Ownership and control is the FIRST key.
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