Pitcher must drop hands to his sides

[CraigD]

8.01 "....When the pitcher disengages the rubber, he must drop his hands to his sides."

How long does the pitcher have to drop his hands to his side?

I've always understood this requirement to be an effort to prevent a quick pitch. In other words, the pitcher needs to have his hands separated BEFORE he returns to the rubber.

However, guys in/from Europe see it quite differently. They seem to have been instructed to call a balk if the pitcher doesn't separate and drop his hands within about one second of his pivot foot hitting the ground after disengagement.

Any thoughts or points of clarification are greatly appreciated.