Obstruction?

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by Blue37

It is the same with "imminent", although NFHS does not use that term. It uses the phrase "attempting to make a play" which still leaves it open to umpire judgment. My suggestion would be to find out how your association wants "attempting to make a play" judged, and call it that way. Our State rules guy has stated in our rules meeting the past two years that the "player must have the ball" or it is obstruction. I disagree with that interpretation, but I will do what I am told to do.

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.