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Originally Posted by mbcrowder
But by your logic, if F1 simply gets the ball from another fielder, steps up to the rubber and pitches, without taking any signs from ANYone, he's broken no rules. And we all know that is not correct.
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No, we don't all know that. You know that. I know differently. As long as the pitcher does not pitch before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box, he need not take any signs. The taking signs rule is there for in case he takes signs. Some pitchers I've seen have only
one pitch. What the hell do they need signs for? There is no requirement that signs be actually given, just the manner in which they must be given..."shall be from the rubber." That naturally means "not from any other location."
We are going to have to agree to disagree. Use whatever method you want. Not one single manager or coach in 21 years of umpiring has ever questioned when I have instructed the pitcher to engage the rubber before taking signs.
I have never allowed pitchers to get their signs off the rubber and then quickly step on and pitch, and this is the only reason for taking the signs off the rubber. They try to hold the runners close by doing it this way and it is just plain wrong.