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I fail to see what is unfair in this case, regardless of what the umpire does.
The existence and location of a ball, whether it's lost in a creek in left field, in Little Johnny's hand on the way to get his free snow-cone, returned to the field of play by a Cubs fan, or thrown to the pitcher by the umpire, is entirely irrelevant.
A ball is not required to make a dead-ball appeal. In fact, a ball cannot be used to make a dead-ball appeal. So who cares where the ball is, and who got one to the pitcher.
A dead-ball appeal in this case cannot be made until the batter-runner leaves the field of play.
So ... explain to me again how the umpire's actions can put anyone at an advantage or disadvantage?
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