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I think you will find that Rick Roder gives you a ruling based on what MLB umpires would call.
1. Obstruction is a VERY rare call in MLB.
2. MLB umpires often make the "expected" call (here we go again!).
3. In a pro game, a runner that is out by a mile is out. Let it go.
4. The above is proven with the pro interpretation of 7.06a with a runner obstructed before reaching first. The letter of the rule says if a BR is obstructed before reaching 1B, the ball is dead, and the BR is awarded at least one base. But in reality, this is not true. If the BR is obstructed before reaching 1B, keep the play alive and see what happens (in other words, treat it kind of like 7.06B, even though that is in direct contridiction with the rules). If the ball is caught for an out, forget the OBS, count the out. If it is not caught, NOW kill the play and award 1B. This is a case where we treat a book rule type A OBS as B, and then turn it back into A. Totally against the rules, but EXACTLY what is expected (if a batter hits a fly to RF and it is caught, then why in the world would you enforce OBS. The OBS meant nothing - that's what they expect, but that's not what it says!).
Never make an unexpected call on a routine play. The higher the level of ball, the more this is true.
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