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Well, I'll be eager to hear what the head honchos have to say about this one.
OK... Notwithstanding the instructor's claimed official interp, one step at a time.
Catcher obstruction - delayed dead ball, and enforcement depends on the result of the play. If BR does not reach first, and all runners do not advance one base safely, the coach gets his choice (results of the play or enforcement of obstruction). Otherwise, obstruction is ignored.
Runner interference - immediate dead ball, runner out, other runners returned to the last base touched at the time of the interference.
Why didn't all runners advance one base safely? Because of an infraction by the offense, rather than because of a play by the defense. Should the offense be "rewarded" by giving their coach a choice because of the out caused by interference? I'll bet that thinking is behind the official ruling.
In that light, the ruling is not so off-the-wall (IMO).
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Tom
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