A philosophical question:

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by rwest

I don't have my rulebook with me but I believe this to be a legal play by F6. She is in the act of fielding a thrown ball and there can be no obstruction in this case, just as in fielding a batted ball. Again, I'm going by memory. I'll look it up tonight, but I do recall that the fielder is given the same protection on a thrown ball.

No, not the same protection.

[pollywolly60]

OP - stated that runner slowed down and covered her head to avoid being hit by the ball. ( I'm guessing she put her bare hands on top of a perfectly good, safe helmet.) So she should be awarded an obstruction call because the ball obstructed her? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the OP but.......

That's not the main point of the OP, anyway. Even if I'm absolutely sure I blew the call, I will conference with my partner. Verbalizing the situation with my partner will help me be certain I am seeing clearly what actually happened, and this will also avoid the appearance of "letting the coach make my call for me".

[SoCalU]

Originally Posted by Dakota

No, not the same protection.

I agree.
A bad throw does not give the fielder the right to obstruct.