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Originally Posted by HokieUmp
Let me see if I follow it then:
The penalty says "The ball is dead immediately when an illegal pitch occurs. If there is no runner, a ball is awarded ... If there is a runner, such illegal act is a balk."
The definition of an illegal pitch is "... an illegal act committed by the pitcher ..."
So the logic is: a pitcher taking the signs off the rubber is an illegal act, thus turning it into an illegal pitch (thanks to that vague definition above), thus making it a balk call.
Do I have that right? (Not trying to be sarcastic, I'm really trying to follow the logic, so I know what I'm debating.)
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Under a strict reading of the FED rules, and according to an old test question, yes, you have this right.
If the pitcher is "acting like he's on the rubber" (by bending over, one had at the side, looking in to the catcher, ...), then he should be on the rubber.