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Originally Posted by mcrowder
Every association I've ever been with took this to mean one of two things - either 1) the ball is over dirt (assuming said play is near a base), or 2) the ball is nearer the fielder than the runner. Personally, I find it easier to judge and be consistent with #2, and it make sense within the framework of the rule - once the ball becomes closer to the fielder than the runner is, the fielder can begin moving into the path of the runner.
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And, just to present an opposing viewpoint, I've never understood #2. The ball is travelling faster than the runner. So, if the ball is closer to the fielder than the runner is to the fielder, the ball will get to the fielder first. So, you might as well not have this criteria and just use "the fielder has the ball" criteria (as LL and NCAA have done).