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Originally Posted by bsnalex
Isn't the call mainly for pitcher, catcher and batter benefit?
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No, it is a call of the game and it isn't a secret. How about your partner who doesn't hear the verbal? Or the coaches who keep the count to be aware of the game situation? Or the scorekeeper? Are "ball" and "strike" low enough just for the batter and catcher? On the bases, is it not called only loud enough for the closest defender to hear it?
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The only trouble I find is not having enough time to call it on pitches coming in low and fast. Often have to simply call Ball and leave the pitcher confused as to why it went thru the strike zone yet was a ball 
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That pitch often is difficult to get out in time. You call it right out of the pitcher's hand and the batter still tells you, "you have to call that earlier". Yeah, idiots, but that is beside the point. An IP needs to be called "illegal" as soon as the umpire can. The signal can happen whenever, but it need not be in unison with the verbal.