not out of bounds???

[cmathews]

casebook 9.6.1 wide receiver A1 runs a pass route along the sideline. He takes two steps out of bounds and goes airborne. While in the air he: (a) bats the ball to A2 who cates the ball; or(b) catches the ball and landes inbounds..... ruling in A and b the ball remains live and the catch is legal?? Isn't A1 out of bounds thus making the ball out of bounds?? if not help me see the light...LOL in either case it is illegal participation, but I am of the mind that the ball became dead when it touched a player who was out of bounds...if he isn't a player he is an object who is out of bounds??