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Hand to mouth
If I'm reading the FED book correctly, the pitcher must distinctly wipe off his hand BEFORE going to the ball, regardless of contact with the rubber or not.
The penalty is simply another "don't do that". I would call it to his attention as soon as the hand goes to the ball, making sure he wipes off the ball, and then warning him not to do it again, or he is ejected. It only becomes an illegal pitch if he pitches the ball...but then again, why allow him to go that far? Correct it as soon as you see it and let him know that he gets no more warnings.
Little League ball, I believe, used to have a rule that going to the mouth at all, while anywhere on the dirt of the mound, was called an automatic ball. That would be a welcome change to the FED rule.
The answer to your question "can you have an illegal pitch before a pitch is actually delivered?" is no. Check out FED rule 2-28 under the definition of a "pitch", and "time of the pitch"
JMHO
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