taking signs off the rubber

[waltjp]

This was posted on another forum about a week ago. You bump into this all over.


It is a balk, and all signs to the pitcher MUST come through the catcher, had this situation in Fla and ump warned me (minor league ump) that if it did not stop that it would be a balk, parent was calling pitches behind my back to his son on the mound and crossing up my catcher.


Also this, from the same thread.

In New York 2 weeks ago ump gave warning to pitcher not to take signs until on the rubber or he would call a balk. Not so uncommon. Balk was not issued without a warning and explanation to 14u.