ValleyUmp

Another fun one I heard about: R1, one out. Drive to the outfield fence. (It's not stated, but I'm assuming it's "in the vee" and properly BU's call.) F9 catches the ball, collides with the fence, and crumples in a heap at the base of the fence. The ball is not visible, so BU signals out. R1 (almost but not quite to 2B) retreats to 1B and is passed by BR (busting it out of the box and around 1B), but it's apparently "nothing" because BR is now a retired runner. PU calls time and jogs out to RF along with DHC to check on the injured F9. While PU is on his way, both BR and 1BC tell him, "The ball popped out and went over the fence - it's a home run." When PU gets out there, he finds F9 is not in possession of the ball, looks over the fence (which is short enough to look over) and sees the ball on the far side. As F9 is being helped off the field by DHC and F8, PU and BU get together, BU changes his call to "home run", and R1 and BR both score. DHC protested the game, saying that because BR passed R1, he should be called out and only R1's run should've counted. Thoughts?

Longtime lurker, active umpire. NFHS rules. R1/R2, 2 out. Clean, sharply hit single to the outfield. R2 rounds third. An accurate throw home beats R2 by 20 feet. R2 stops and reverses course. In the ensuing rundown between 3B and HP, R2 is obstructed. PU properly calls and signals, "That's obstruction!" but it's NFHS (delayed dead ball) so play on. Note: No one involved in the play argued the obstruction call itself; everyone agreed it was genuine. After the act of obstruction, R2 made it back to the 3B bag without being tagged out - only to find it occupied by R1. R1, knowing the trail runner is the one in jeopardy whenever two runners occupy a base, now attempted to retreat to 2B. (The batter-runner had remained at 1B.) One quick snap throw and R1 is tagged out for Out #3. Time is called. PU scores R2 on the obstruction and awards R1 third base, intending to continue play with R1/R3, 2 out. DHC comes out to argue, saying R1 should've seen/heard the obstruction call and known he could remain on 3B; moreover, since it's a timing play and the 3rd out was recorded (on R1) before R2 could be awarded home, the inning should be over with no runs scoring. DHC is not profane, but his argument is persistent and prolonged - he's adamant PU has misapplied the rule - and PU ends up ejecting DHC. Most of the umpires I've talked to say that neither one was right: R2's run award counts, then the third out applies and it's side retired. Which of the three perspectives is correct? I was not personally involved but want to know the rulebook support.