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When I read the original post I had invisioned F4 slapping his glove then turning toward the baserunner. Slapping the glove is not in itself obstruction but slapping the glove and then turning toward the BR might be.
Verbal obstruction is difficult to call. In fact I can't rememebr ever calling a verbal obstruction. A few months ago I was workig an adult league game. The BR hit a long high fly to RF, close to the line. I indicated that the ball was fair and the BR made it to 2nd. F4 told the BR that it was a foul ball and when he stepped off the bag he tagged him out. Was that verbal obstruction? No, it was taking advantage of a players stupidity. Another time R1 (on 2B) was leading off and talking to F6 about remodeling houses (this had been going on for a couple of pitches). They were laughing until the pitcher turned and threw the ball the F4 who then tagged R1 out. Was that verbal obstruction? No, again it was taking advantage of a players stupidity. I'm sure that every umpire out there has stories like these.
Bottom line: The players are responsible for knowing what's going on during the game & their coaches are tasked to help them know.
Yelling things like "go, go", "back, back" or "time" IMO does not constitute obstruction.
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