rules for no antenna in outdoors

Question
I know when there is no antenna the poles become the antenna. I don't particularly like that rule since in our local league the poles are a goof 3 feet outside the court, but I know that rule.  However, even with no antenna, a ball that contacts the top cord outside the net is still considered out and a dead ball, correct?

The play that happened to us tonight was our opponent hit a third shot that bounced off the top cord a good foot ouside the net.  In a moment of carelessness, one of our players caught the ball before it hit the ground.  (It would have lande well outside the lines, but that is no excuse.)  The ref awarded the point to the other team, using the logic that with no antenna, the ball was in since it was inside the pole. I briefly tried protesting that since the ball actually contacted the net cord, obviously outside the net itself, the antenna rule didn't matter.  But the ref wouldn't listen or couldn't understand what I was trying to say, and I didn't press the matter.  But I am still curious as to whether I am right.

Answer
Good morning and welcome to www.allexperts.com!  

a) Correct, when you're outdoors, there are usually no antennas. Thus the standard is sometimes the antenna and all shots must pass between them.  In the outdoor leagues I've played in, the game is played like tennis:  If you can get the ball into the other team's court, it's legal.  Regardless.  The ball passing b/t the standards doesn't even matter.  

b) OK, not to your point.  If the ball touched the top of the net, then of course it's a legal play.  Or if the ball touches the net cord outside the net, that's a legal play as well. Why?  B/c the rule is "The standard is the antenna," and if you accept that as your rule, then what you described has to be a legal play.  (The ref should have called a lift on whoever caught the ball.)  

c) As I read your question, I thought maybe you were going to say that the ball touched one of those little ropes that tie the net to the standards to make the net tighter, and the ball then "squirted" through those ropes and landed in your court.  I know indoor nets have those little ropes; maybe, some outdoor nets do as well.  I don't think this is what you were trying to say; but, if that would have been your issue, then, yes, the play is illegal.    

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