Sign not taken from the pitcher's plate (NFHS)

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by jdmara

Gentleman-

How do you rule when the pitcher takes signs from the catcher when not on the pitcher's plate?

-Josh

Whom are you asking?

The rules prescribe no penalty. The purpose of the provision is to prevent a quick pitch, which is an illegal pitch. As long as F1 isn't in the vicinity of a quick pitch, I probably won't see it. If the O coach complains, I'll tell him to take his signs on the rubber, and then won't see it.

If he's close to a quick pitch, I'll tell F2 to get him to slow down so that he doesn't. And if he does quick pitch, I'll address that when it happens.

Frankly, I've never had a problem with this, so I don't worry much about it.