[NM FP Ump]

Yes, I've seen it before, and no, it is not legal.

I've had that happen, where a pitcher rubs the ball into the dirt. I've had a 12U pitcher put the ball in the toe drag depression in front of the pitcher's plate and cover the ball with dirt, and my favorite of all time...

Calling LL game (manager must call games, you know the drill). Defensive coach calls time, comes out to the foul line to talk to pitcher and catcher and pours water from his water bottle on to his pitcher's jersey. He thinks the catcher would block my view, but I went up the other foul line to get a drink from my water bottle. I went over to their huddle, felt the pitcher's jersey and asked the coach if he put that water there. He just looked at me with that deer in the headlights look, and mumbled something. I told him that this was illegal and if I saw her touching her jersey in the affected area, I would call an illegal pitch. He took the pitcher out, I reported the conduct and he got his hand slapped by the LL board. End of story.