Obstruction question

[GIMNEPIWO]

Steve, MTR and Wade. I respect you all and I am using 8-5-B-3 to justify the out. I guess my question for the OP is... Did BR physically make contact with 1st base or did she turn and run to 2nd without touching 1st.

Based on the OP I conclude that the BR rounded and returned (physically contacted the base) Then took off to 2nd and was tagged out. If this is the way it happened then based on the umpires actions by placing the runner on 1st s/he is stating (through that award) that the BR did reach the base she would have if no obstruction occurred. So that is why I have an OUT.

If she did not make contact with 1st then good call by the umpire.

[Jalamander]

Based on the OP I conclude that the BR rounded and returned (physically contacted the base) Then took off to 2nd and was tagged out. If this is the way it happened then based on the umpires actions by placing the runner on 1st s/he is stating (through that award) that the BR did reach the base she would have if no obstruction occurred. So that is why I have an OUT.

vcblue. Before using 8-5-B-3 go back and read 8-5-B-1.
An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where obstructed.
Look at the exceptions. Do any of the exceptions have merit within the OP? Answer, no.
”I conclude that the BR rounded and returned (physically contacted the base) Then took off to 2nd and was tagged out.” Your conclusion does not match any exception.
Drop down to 8-5-B-2.
If the obstructed runner is put out prior to REACHING the base which would have been REACHED had there not been obstruction,
The runner had already attained first base BEFORE the obstruction occurred. Therefore, second, third and home bases are in front of her. As she is running forward she is trying to REACH those bases. First base is behind her. If she stops for some reason and turns back to first base, she is RETURNING…not REACHING. You can use 8-5-B-2 if you wish, because the runner was trying to REACH second base. But, the umpire had already determined the runner could not REACH second base even if there had been no obstruction. I don’t believe I’d use 8-5-B-2.
Now, turn to 8-5-B-3.
If the obstructed runner is put out after passing the base which would have been REACHED had there been no obstruction OR advanced beyond the two bases where the obstruction occurred,
The "or" between the phrases is very important. It tells you either phrase may be true for the rule to apply. So, let’s look at the phrases.
If the obstructed runner is put out after passing the base which would have been reached had there been no obstruction.
When the obstruction occurs, the umpire makes a decision as to what base the runner could have attained had there been no obstruction. Could she have attained second base? Third base? Home? If the umpire determines she could have attained second base and the runner is put out after passing second, then this portion of the rule applies. If the umpire determines she could have attained third base and the runner is put out after passing third, then this portion of the rule applies. If the umpire determines she could have attained home and the runner is put out after passing home…well, then, someone screwed up. But, you get the point. If fact, in the OP, the umpire put the runner back on first base. That means the umpire determined she could not REACH any forward base from the point of obstruction.
Did the runner pass the base she could have REACHED had there been no obstruction? No. She had not. This portion of the rule does not apply. So let’s look at the phrase after the “or”
If the obstructed runner is put out after she has advanced beyond the two bases where the obstruction occurred.
This portion of the rule deals only with first base and second base, because, between those two bases is where the obstruction occurred. Did the runner get put out after advancing past second base? No. Per the OP, she was tagged out before reaching second base.
As you can see, rule 8-5-B-3 does not apply because neither phrase has not been met.

You do not give the runner a forward base because the umpire determined the runner could not attain any forward base had the obstruction not occurred. The only alternative you have as an umpire is to return her to the last base touched. In the OP that would be first base.
So, of the three rules noted, which would you apply B-1, B-2 or B-3?
Or, would you use B-4, which wasn't even discussed?