This happens when a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, obstructs the progress of any runner. If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered "in the act of fielding a ball". It is up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball or not. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the "act of fielding" the ball. For example an infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner, it is likely that he has obstructed the runner.