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Someone asked "Why bother" if you know you aren't going to award 2nd.
You bother because even if you are not going to award the base, the runner CANNOT be tagged out between 1st and 2nd now, regardless of whatelse happens. You'd find your defense of that position rather difficult if you hadn't ruled the obstruction immediately.
For instance, ball hit to left, runner is obstructed rounding the base, takes 3 more steps, and FALLS when deciding to return to first. She's then nailed on a great throw to first. How are you going to (correctly) call her safe if you didn't have your arm out for obstruction?
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