[UmpJM]

Coach D.,

The "documentation" is based on the OBR language found near the very beginning of Rule 8.01:

"...Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate. ..."

There is similar, though not identical, language in the FED and NCAA rule books.

What I believe the rule means is that the pitcher must, after he has engaged the rubber, pause for the amount of time it would take him to get signs prior to initiating his delivery.

I do not care whether he get his "real" signs from the catcher, his coach, his girlfriend in the 3rd row, or the voices in his head.

I do care that he pauses.

This is a subject of much consternation and debate among umpires, and, I know from my own experience that it is "called differently" by different umpires.

Most umpires who have had "serious training" would agree with what I said.

If it was an umpire who prohibited you from doing this, I believe he has not been well-trained.

JM