Batters love to have a spot on the ball. It helps identify spin or rotation. That is not the reason.
I have been told by MLB umpires that when a pitch hits the dirt...there is a high probability that the leather is scuffed, broken or torn. Therefore, advantage to pitchers who can utilize this. Ball out of play.
"Supposedly" a batted ball does not cause the same effect.
But to go a whole inning....is unusual.
