Would you have called a balk?

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I cannot understand why everyone is arguing so hard for a balk they never call.

Some do call it (post #16)
I think it's a good idea to know exactly which interp you're going to live by and be able to defend in case a coach does make an issue of it.

For those who think taking a sign off the rubber by rule is an immediate balk I ask the following questions:

Which signs are F1s obligated to take from the rubber?

The sign from the catcher to his middle infielders indicating any play he may put on in the event R1 attempts to steal?
Does the pitcher have to close his eyes so as not to see this sign while off the rubber to avoid balking? I don't think so

If he closes his eyes he may miss the sign indicating bunt defense. Does the bunt defense sign qualify as a sign that must be seen while only on the rubber? Probably not

The pickoff sign? Maybe
The sign indicating which pitch to throw?
YES that's the one

The rule says:
"He shall take his sign from the catcher with his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate"

So he can look at and see the signs for all the infielders while off the rubber but he must take ""his"" sign from the rubber.
I don't plan on quizzing F2 every time I see F1 looking at him and asking if he's giving F1 "his" sign.

As for me, I have no idea what signals the catcher is flashing prior to F1 stepping on the rubber and like Ozzy I don't care. As long as once F1 steps on the rubber he takes or pretends to take "his" sign I'm cool.