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In making my decision on obstruction/interference in cases such as this, I use the guideline that the defensive player is given "a step and a reach".
If the misplayed ball only causes the defensive player to move one step and then reach for the ball, he is still protected while fielding the batted ball.
If the defensive player has to move more than the step and a reach, the burden is upon him to avoid obstructing the runner.
(This is a baseball interp, but it transfers well to softball and gives you a consistent guideline.)
Roger Greene
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