sign off of rubber FED

[C'monBlue]

You, as the plate umpire, cannot assume that the pitcher is taking signs just because he is looking at the catcher. Unless you SEE the sign, which is impossible because the catcher is in front of you, don't call a balk--unless, of course, there is a quick pitch.

[smoump]

I agree as a plate guy, but as a base umpire, I can clearly see it.

[C'monBlue]

As the BU, you're watching the pitcher's body. I would make a point of NOT watching the signs. There is absolutely nothing good that can come from you calling a balk in this situation. Find ways to avoid it.

[Rich]

Preventive actions by the umpires can stop this from happening. Find a reason to go to the mound and say a quick word to the pitcher. Send the catcher out to talk to the pitcher.

Don't start looking for strange balks.

[JRutledge]

Tell the catcher to tell the pitcher to take the signs while on the rubber or tell the pitcher yourself to take signs on the rubber. Most of the time this is not an issue and I can only think of one time I had to address this.

Peace