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Steve S,
First, glad to have you on board. Ask away, and verify the answers we all give you - that will get you into a specific area of the rule book with some pointed understanding of what you are reading.
In your first example -
"My concern was that the 2 fielders involved in the rundown are blocking the line, therefore, impeding the progress of the runner. The runner chooses to not crash into the fielder, but rather slows progress to the base and even attempts to go around the fielder. The ball is caught after the runner is to the side of the fielder and a tag is made.
The runner reached the fielder before the ball did. So it seems as though it may be obstrution."
Yes, this is obstruction. The fielder without the ball or about to receive the ball may not have any effect on the runner.
In your second & third questions -
What if the runner crashes into the player while the player is waiting for the ball in which the ball is enroute but the runner reaches the fielder before the ball? Would this be obstruction?
Yes, this is obstruction. By ASA's definition, about to receive means that the ball is closer to the fielder than the runner is. Since the runner reached the fielder before the ball did, that is obstruction.
Would it be interference if the player crashes into the catcher at home plate when the catcher receives the ball just as the runner is reaching home?
This one is different. It is probably neither interference nor obstruction. This probably is just a wreck.
Steve M
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