Obstruction - Defence standing near the inside corner of a bag

Question
Hi Dr. Ambrose,
 I am coaching a 12U girls fastpitch team and I am not sure how to handle when the other team's players are standing in the way of my base runners right at the inside corner of the base when my base runners are attempting to round the base.  For example a first baseman that is ready to catch a throw at 1B when my batter just hit a ball out into left field.  If my player is slowed down because they aren't cutting on the inside of the base they may not get to 2B for a double that they could have made.  

Do I instruct my players to go around her and then to second and if they get called out try to get the obstruction ruling?  I would guess that wouldn't usually work so well.

Do I have my base runner run into her?  I personally don't care for brutality.  

I would like to get the obstruction called, but if my runner runs around her, how do I get the umpire to call obstruction.  I have seen this happen many times where it isn't called.  

Thanks in advance,
Doug

I do appreciate all the work you and the other experts put in on this site.

Answer
Hi Doug,

For some reason esp F3s seem to want to occupy the base anytime a ball is hit.  This could be many times obstruction, they need to stay out of the way.  You want the obstruction call when it happens, so if the umpire doesn't have their left arm off to the side, it means you probably are not going to get it and you have to coach your runner accordingly.

Certainly we don't want any collisions, have your runner do whatever is necessary to get around F3 and when play stops ask for time and calmly tell the umpire what you saw and that you think it's obstruction.  You'll get some type of reply and hopefully they know the correct rules and will keep a better eye on it. If it's a 1 umpire game there's a lot the umpire needs to be watching.  It's the toughest umpiring job there is and we can't watch everything although we try.  If it's a 2 umpire game that is a little different, be sure to be talking to the base umpire.  If you don't get the call when you feel you deserve it, again ask for time....etc.

As a next option, if this is a regular problem, feel free to call the UIC and discuss your concerns.

I'm sorry but I don't know what else to tell you.

Mark