Obstruction and Protection from missing HP

Question
Hello Dr. Mark,
Here is one from a recent game that I'd like your input on.  R1 on 2nd base when B1 singles to RF.  R1 is obstructed by F6 (base umpire extends left arm).  In a bang-bang play at the plate, R1 misses the plate and F2 misses the tag.  Plate umpire delays "safe" signal and in an immediate scramble, F2 tags R1 diving back for the plate.  Plate umpire feels R1 would have reached HP if nt obstructed, so calls "time/dead ball" after the tag was made.  PU has a quick conference with BU and the correct ruling is??

Answer
Hi Mike,

have you ever seen the movie 12 angry men where it's 11-1 for conviction and it ends up 12-0 for acquittal after a ton of arguments?

I think you could lock up 12 very knowledgeable experienced umpires to rule on this and they would end with a hung jury. Arguments can be made for either side. I believe we could use a case book play on this.  In fact I'm going to send it to Kevin Ryan ASA Supervisor of Umpires to see if he thinks it's worthy enough.  If he rules on the play I'll post it here.

I can only tell you how I would call it (which I believe is correct and is the stronger argument).  I'm on the side that the run scores.

I think the overriding "intent" of the obstruction rule is to give the offense what they would have had if there had been no obstruction.

A case book play that tells me "intent" of the rule is 2 out, R1 is obstructed at 3rd and B2 is put out for the 3rd out(not at 1st) before R1 touches home.  The ruling awards the batter home since he would have reached it and the run scores.  
So even though they never touched the plate before the 3rd out the runs counts because in our judgment w/out obstruction they would have.

In this case as soon as I put my arm out I determined R1 would score had their been no obstruction.

had R1 not been obstructed there would have been no "bang-bang" play at the plate (as I already judged they would score, not guess they would be safe on a banger) and therefore w/out obstruction R1 would have had clear access to the plate.

As long as R1 makes a effort to touch the plate I'm going to protect them.  dead ball, runner is awarded home

that's the way I'm going to call it.

Mark