visits to the mound

[mike clauson]

When is it considered an official trip to the mound by a manger? I had a situation last night where the manager came out to talk to his pitcher before the inning had started. The game had started, but we were between innings. Does this count as an official visit? Does the same logic apply between 1/2 innings. i.e. can the manager of the visiting team go to the mound before the bottom half of the inning begins and not have it count as an official visit? Please clarify. Thanks