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A couple of general comments...
- Is dirt a "foreign substance" with respect to the ball? Sure it is.
Go buy a new ball. Open the package. Take the ball out. Look at it. Does it come with dirt already applied? Of course not. Since dirt is not a naturally occuring substance on a ball, it is indeed "foreign" to the ball.
- Does that mean that we have to replace the game ball with a fresh new one every time the game ball touches the dirt. Absolutely not!
Note that the rule specifically addresses the pitcher applying the foreign substance. It is the willful action of the player, in a possible attempt to gain an unfair advantage, that is illegal- not the substance itself.
Dirt, sand, dust, moisture or mud that gets on the game ball through normal game play (as opposed to a willful act by the pitcher) is incidental- not illegal.
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