Pitcher accidentally drops ball (FED)

[David Emerling]

Prior to coming set, and while still in the process of taking the signal from the catcher, the pitcher accidentally drops the ball and it does cross the foul line.

A strict reading of FED 6-2-4a would indicate that this is not a balk:

It's a balk if ...

... any feinting toward the batter or first base, or any dropping of the ball (even though accidental) and the ball does not cross the foul line (6-1-4).

Notice the reference to FED 6-1-4. So, what does that say?

FED 6-1-4

... a pitch dropped during delivery and which crosses a foul line shall be called a ball. Otherwise, it will be called a no pitch.

It would seem to me that a dropped ball, while in contact with the rubber and while still getting the signal from the catcher, does not constitute "during delivery" as described in FED 6-1-4.

I think the phrase in FED 6-1-4 where it says "Otherwise (i.e. the ball does not cross the foul line), it will be called a no pitch" is intended for if a delivery does not cross a foul line.

If the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber simply drops the ball and, for some inexplicable reason, it rolls across the foul line (maybe the ball hits his foot and deflects) - would that be a balk or a "no pitch"? For that matter, what if if doesn't cross the foul line in that same circumstance?