Straddling rubber to take signs

[Jim Porter]

Originally posted by etbaseball
buckweat -


This issue of 'taking a sign off the rubber' is one of the many rules which have different applications for high school (Fed), college (NCAA-NAIA) and 'pro' ball. An excellent reason, I might add, for one to invest a few dollars and purchase Carl Childress' Baseball Rule Differences (BRD), the 20th edition, which was published earlier this year.

In 'pro' ball (OBR) there's no penalty listed, however this is a "don't do that" issue, which means you should advise the pitcher, and catcher too, not to take/give signs when the pitcher is off the rubber. Now if they fail to comply, you have the authority to eject them for unsportmanlike conduct.

I found it very easy to control this matter by speaking with the catcher and letting him know that he is not to give any signals to the pitcher until, and unless, he is on the rubber. Bingo, problem dissappears.

Well, now, here's an excellent example of rule versus application.

The OBR casebook comments under 8.01 instruct us to watch for a quick pitch or a delay in the game in relation to that rule. If the pitcher neither quick pitches nor delays the game, why on Earth would you warn or eject him for not taking his signs while on the rubber? In other words, if there's no problem, what's the problem?

Don't over-officiate. Yes, it's a, "Don't do that," under the OBR as stated in my editor and friend Carl Childress' book. (The book is WELL worth the price - - even if you only work one code - - since it contains rulings not found anywhere else)

I'm sure Papa C himself would tell you not to interrupt the flow of the game over that situation unless there's some problem. How do I know? We've talked about this subject endlessly over the last few years. It is a topic that comes up time and again. I'm the only one arguing my position because everyone else has grown tired of repeating the same things about these same rules over and over again.