Signals off of rubber

[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by SC Ump

Why? Where does it say the pitcher cannot take a sign off the rubber?

OBR 8.01 says, in part,

"Pitchers shall take signs from the rubber. Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged as a quick pitch by the umpire...Pitchers will not be allowed to disengage the rubber after taking each sign."

I can't find a reference in Evans' Official Baseball Rules Annotated that offers any reason for the restriction except to prevent an illegal Quick Pitch, as David B suggested.

Hope this helps

Cheers