Correct which leads us to the runner. You would think if she was in possession of the ball the runner would take an outside route around a potential tag rather than go right at her.
Depends on when she got the ball. Assuming the catcher had possession of the ball just before the runner made contact, the runner probably wouldn't have had time to alter her path. Also, runners make dumb decisions all the time. On a potential play at home, I want my players doing an outside hook slide. It's safer for everyone, and there's a higher chance of being safe. That said, there some player who go in with the intent of collision.
Don’t you think the runner should have access to the entire plate if the catcher is without the ball?
Runner should be able to pick her spot not be influenced where the catcher is positioned.
What we think doesn't matter. The rules do not require the fielder to "give access". The rules only mandate that a fielder without possession of the ball may not hinder the progress of the runner. The rule does not go into effect until the runner is actually hindered.
If the runner's progress is affected by the presence of a fielder without possession of the ball, it's obstruction. This includes changing path, slowing, stopping. Collision with the fielder is not required for obstruction. In the case of this play, however, it appears likely that the runner did not change her path due to the presence of the catcher, so it becomes a matter of when the catcher had possession of the ball.
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