[AtlUmpSteve]

1) When she stepped on with hands separated, as long as she didn't immediately start to bring her hands together, she has met the requirement to simulate taking a signal. The fact that you believe she actually took the signal after her hands are together is immaterial, as long as she complies with the necessary hesitation (simulating).

2) There is a reason why the rule says the umpire may NOT grant time once the pitcher has brought her hands together; if you cannot grant time, the catcher stepping out cannot change the sequence, stop the sequence, nor create "time".

3) There is only one legal way for the pitcher to stop at that point; she must step back off the pitcher's plate before she can legally separate her hands, absent starting her pitch.

4) If she did NOT separate, but simply waited, the 10 second count to start the pitch would still be ticking.

5) Yep, illegal pitch. Sorry coach, you created it. I hate that you didn't call the steal defense signal until your pitcher had initiated her sequence, but you did it, and the offense is entitled to the penalty the rule spells out.