Explain This to the Howler Monkey

[rainmaker]

Case Book 6.7 Situation B: " Prior to the bonus and after A1 starts the free-throwing motion, A2 commits a common foul by pushing B1 along the lane. Ruling: If the foul occurred after the ball was in flight, the point counts if the throw was successful and no substitute throw is awarded if not successful. If A1 had not released the free-throw attempt before A2 fouled B1, the ball became dead when the foul occurred and A1 is permitted an unhindered free throw. The foul by A2 results in the ball being awarded to Team B at the out-of-bounds spot nearest to where A2 fouled B1, unless the free-throw attempt by A1 is successful in which case B will throw-in from out of bounds anywhere along the end line where the free throw was scored."

Merciful Heavens!! A fouls, and A gets the throws!?! What's the philosophy behind that? If A violates, they lose the throws, but a more serious infraction (foul) gets less penalty???

So, let's assume this is the first of a two-shot free-throw. If the ball is not yet released, do we clear the lane so that the throw will be "unhindered?" How do we explain that to Coach B?

What about after the bonus is in effect, how do we handle a foul by A2? Clear the lane, A1 finishes his/her free-throws, then change ends, B shoots, and go from there?

Does this seem bizarre only because I'm reading it at 11:30 pm (too hot to sleep -- record high today!!)