Rich,
Believe it or not, I've actually read 7.08(f).
While I agree that it does not explicitly say "how or by what", I believe the proper interpretation is that the "deflection" must be by a "person", as legally defined in the rules.
Plus, why do you think it was a "fair ball"? (Yes, I've read that rule as well.)
JM
A2D on the deflection.
It hit an object other than a fielder while fair - it's fair
This is exactly why I say fair, two base award. The ball deflected off the way, at "first touch" it was fair (from the only camera shot we have). If you have ever seen this pole and the wall in person, you would know the angle and way the wall is painted (with a fair stripe) is not be accident...this is a cluster of a wall and pole.
The only thing I can say regarding the interpretation of what happened is they judged it did not strike the wall or the pole, leaving the field / crossing the fence boundary "in flight" and foul....