[greymule]

It is not our contention that the ruling we teach is the most fair, or even sensible. However, there are many instances set out in the rule book where fair play or common sense seem not to apply.

I hope you do not think that I am finding fault with the Wendelstedt School. You are obviously giving the rules a thorough examination and trying to come up with the best way to handle difficult plays. I'm glad you posed your question on this thread, since I've been tossing that particular play around in my mind for a long time. The point you brought up about the fielder subsequently catching the fly is a good one. Why not give the out? Is immediate INT/dead ball on a foul fly an absolute, even if we end up rewarding the team that violated a rule? Philosophical question.

Someone on this board once said something like, "Sometimes you have to choose between the correct rule book call and the correct ballpark call." This play may be one of those cases.