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Here's what it comes down to: players and coaches should never stop playing based on the presumption an umpire saw or didn't see an infraction or the assumption THEY can predetermine how an umpire will judge the actions of others.
A coach or runner who assumes that they can run until caught believing the umpire will not rule them out is preposterous and a bit stupid.
As umpires, we should not place so much emphasis on ourselves. See the play, apply any special rulings to the play and make the call. If teams operate under some notion that it is up to US to protect THEM from THEIR shortcomings or misinterpretations of the rules, they are going to have a problem, but that doesn't make it the umpire's problem.
Whether you hold the arm up the entire play or not, the fact that you made the determination is enough. The signal is not only for the participants, but also your partner and spectators. Trust me, the moment a runner is obstructed, half the offensive team is going to scream "interference" and look at the umpire. If you have the arm up at that point, they will see it and you will likely hear someone say, "he's got it".
It is now up to the offense to continue NORMAL play. If the choose to try to stretch the play, that is their problem and if they know the rules as well as they believe they do, they will also know their runner is no longer protected.
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The bat issue in softball is as much about liability, insurance and litigation as it is about competition, inflated egos and softball.
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