SAFETY FIRST!!!
Runners and fielders should ALWAYS avoid contact when possible.  This is especially important at home plate where  catchers should stand in front of the plate when fielding a throw on a potential tag play.  A swipe tag from the front of the plate is in all likelihood the safest way to try to put out a runner.  

Obstruction - Obstruction is the act of a defensive team member: A.  Who hinders or impedes a batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball.  B.  A fielder, who impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running the bases unless the fielder is:
1.  in possession of the ball.
2.  in the act of fielding a batted ball.
Note:  Contact is not necessary to impede the progress.
Defensive players cannot block a base until having possession of the ball, not waiting for the ball to get to the them. A defensive player can not hinder or impede the progress of a runner without possession of the ball. 
The umpire mechanic for this is to signal a delayed dead ball signal.  After time is called, award the runner the base or run to which they are entitled. 
However, there is one rule that will trump the obstruction rule, and that is an offensive player crashing into a defensive player.  Rules 8.7 Q States the following under the heading, "The runner is out":  When a defensive player has the ball and the runner remains upright and crashes into the defensive player. (The runner is out, if the act is flagrant, the runner may be ejected.)

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NEW TEAMS & CUSTOMER SERVICE:  
There are a large number of NEW TEAMS this year and we are asking all umpires to BE HELPFUL to players, coaches and teams who may be very unfamiliar with the rules.  Some of these folks will be PLAYING SOFTBALL FOR THE FIRST TIME and we are asking you to PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THE RULES to these individuals.  If you don't feel it is appropriate to speak directly to a player that is fine, but please make sure you at least give some helpful guidance to the coach where you notice that players might not have a clue.  
INEXPERIENCED TEAMS and NEW PLAYERS are especially common in the CORPORATE COED leagues.   We are asking all umpires to COVER SOME OF THE BASIC RULES with these teams at the PLATE and DURING THE GAME. 
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                                   Peninsula Sports Officials Association