Obstruction Rule Clarification/explanation, PLEASE!!

[4Beemer]

Okay, I am a first year coach of high school fast pitch softball in MI, and a head coach at that. This is a whole new crazy perspective for me, but the game is definitely not new to me. To make a long story short, I had my first game today (which we won, yay) but there were two obstruction calls that could have really cost us the game. I know that the rule changed from last year, but I wasn't a coach last year. My third baseman kind of got in the base path during a rundown, but clearly didn’t touch the runner, then my catcher makes a ESPN highlight play at the play, then the umps call obstruction. I personally didn’t hear an appeal, but being a first time coach I am timid about making appeals myself. I am wondering if umpired will call the obstruction without a verbal appeal being made, or if a coach or player has to appeal? There was another situation with my shortstop covering second on a wild throw (going for the ball). I guess it is hard to explain, but basically I really would like some help with this whole obstruction rule. I know it is not new, but it has been changing. I totally understand not being able to block a bag/plate before you have the ball (to me "blocking" is like an outfielder taking a knee, but in the IN in front of a bag b4 u have the ball in your possession (from first hand experience, (a huge black-eye w/ seam marks on my face and weak eye, and no obstruction call was ever made!!??) but not letting a player, especially a SS strattle a bag, or even stand near the bag before she has the ball... It just seems like the girls are getting the game taken away from them, while the boys continue as is...

Basically, I am rather stressed as it is my first year, and we play tomorrow, and I would really, truly, appreciate a little help with this whole obstruction matter. And if you are feeling real nice, I would love some advice on appeals, too. In college I always remember the coach yelling to the catcher to make a defensive appeal. But today someone told me to just walk out and start talking to the ump. Either way, would I go out there asking for an appeal, or is there a specific way (or specific wording) when making appeals? I have the rule book but without the case books to go along with them it seems hard to follow. I was a certified ump for 1 year; too bad I didn't ump that summer b/c I was a player of the game during the same time.

Will someone just help a new coach out? Obstruction and appeals, please.

Thank you very much to anyone that responds!