legal play

Question
R1 is on first base , B1 pops up to first base, but does not run to first. The First baseman lets the ball drop in front of him forcing R1 to go to second, The First baseman gathers the ball touches first and throws to second to tag out R1. The Umpire calls dead ball , one out and returns R1 to first. and Warns the player for unsportsmanlike conduct. Thanks for your help on this.

Answer
Hi James,

Unless F3 caught the ball and then intentionally dropped it (at which time we would have a dead ball) there's absolutely nothing wrong with the defense letting a ball drop and then attempting a play.

It is not USLC or anything else.  This is not a good call by the umpire and you could protest it (before the next pitch, legal or illegal) if you wanted to.

mark