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Here's the conondrum I'm contemplating...
Fielder blocks "most" of the base without the ball, leaving some small portion open to the runner. Runner is heading for the blocked portion of the base. Runner is forced to alter his path/slide away from his original trajectory, toward the unblocked portion.
By the definition that the fielder has allowed "some access" to the base, this is not obstruction.
Yet the runner is forced to "alter his path" to avoid the blocking fielder. The blocking has "hindered the runner and changed the pattern of the play", to paraphrase the FED definition of obstruction.
To me, the runner should be free to take whichever path to the bag he chooses and that chosen path should be free of any defenders without the ball.
As the 2008 rule is being presented, it seems to encourage the defense to push the envelope on blocking a base and thus might lead to unnecessary contact. It also forces runners to alter their slide at the last second, not a good thing from a safety standpoint, especially when you consider that most baseball injuries are the result of slides.
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