Wrong, if it had hit but not lodged, it would have bounced or rolled quickly back to the outfielder. The lodging was a disadvantage to quick retrieval. Even a second’s difference can make or break a win.
“...it would have bounced or rolled quickly back to the outfielder. The lodging was a disadvantage to quick retrieval.”
You will have to explain that. I have seen baseballs bounce off the walls and the fielder had to chase it down which sometimes took some doing. I have seen it bounce into the fielders glove once, and it amazed me. In this case, the ball was immbolized; it seemed to have caught under the edge of the plastic padding. All the fielder had to do was walk up and pick it up. But no, he turned around and tried to look helpless.
The only way anyone can think this was legitimate was if the person is a Dodgers fan.