Intentional double play!

[Dakota]

Yes, I was referring to the POE (it is part of the rule book).

Caught means caught - a legal catch. So under ASA rules, letting the ball fall into an open glove and having the ball fall to the ground would not be ruled a catch, therefore this is not an intentionally dropped ball under ASA rules.

As for the easy double play rationale for the rule, I'm not sure that is the reason for the rule. IFR is there for that, and under ASA, IFR takes precedence.

My own thinking about this has led me to a somewhat unsure conclusion in my mind that the rationale behind the rule is preventing a deceptive act - the fielder trying to make the runners think the force is on when it isn't, and drawing them off base for a tag.