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Originally Posted by BayStateRef
Because the rule is specific...it applies only to an infielder. Even if this were an infielder, the play would be legal because the ball was allowed to fall untouched. (See the Approved Ruling for 6.05(l)
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In the OP situation, it was "a long fly ball". So the better reason why this situation is different is that it was a foul ball, and 6.05(l) doesn't apply. And it is different to the coach also: if the ball were fair, he'd be pleased that the outfielder dropped it, intentionally or not.
Lastly, I find it interesting that while OBR, NCAA, and FED all refer to an "infielder" intentionally dropping the ball, J/R refer simply to a "fielder". I suppose that it is practically very difficult for an outfielder to intentionally drop a ball and actually double off a B/R who is striving to reach first base. So perhaps J/R imply that the spirit of the rule applies to a outfielder who is playing veryshallow?