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Andy, let me differ with you thusly. The casebook, I believe, also allows an obstructed runner to be called out for missing a base, including one at which s/he is protected by the obstruction rule. EVEN IF THAT MISSED BASE IS CAUSED BY THE OBSTRUCTION!! That leads me to believe that the intent of the rule is that any baserunning transgression (interference, missed bases, passing other runners, and yes, LBR, even though not specifically stated) supercedes the obstruction. If a trangression caused by the obstruction isn't ignored, why would one unrelated be?
CecilOne: "Minor obstruction", so far as I know, is not of softball significance. I know it has a place in baseball lore and interpretation, but not here, Either a runner is obstructed, or not; the amount of obstruction only relates to the amount of anticipated award or protection, it has no significance to the ruling.
In sitch #1, I have an out on the LBR. I feel sorry for the runner, but, unless I see an injury requiring immediate attention, I can't protect that runner. To me, I call "time" if and when I judge that; the OP said sprained ankle, and that just doesn't meet the criteria.
In sitch #2, no way I allow the defense to benefit from the obvious obstruction. I invoke 10.1-L, and refuse to invoke the penalty for LBR when the defense is the offending team.
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