[Rachel]

In the NCAA if they are tangling with the runner without the ball it is obstruction. The question is where is the ball when when the fielder blocks? If it is closer to the fielder of the thrown ball than the runner is, it is fine no obstruction. If the runner is closer to the fielder of the thrown ball than the ball then it is obstruction.

If the defenders position (without the ball) causes the runner to change her path to the bag then it is obstruction. The reason for the emphasis is to ensure that the college umpires call this consistantly.

The NCAA may eventually go to the "no ball - no block" but for now they would like the umpires to be more consistant in calling obstruction instead of just calling the runner safe. Those of you that have been to Emily's clinic please chime in. This is the message I got from the clinic I attended.