Sharing what I learn here...

[youngump]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

When the 3k foul is an out in slowpitch, interfering with fielding it and making it foul by touching it can be interference, while keeping it foul simply isn't in fastpitch.

So in my two scenarios on your field. BR is out in the first. Foul ball on the second?

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

That's what the rules say; you seem to be looking for a greater cosmic understanding.

Well, what the rules say often has very little to do with how the game is called. If it isn't interference to keep a fielder from keeping the ball foul, then the ball presumably remains live? (On the theory that no rule has made it dead)