Signals off of rubber

[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by SC Ump

So if the pitcher takes signs from off the rubber and then gets on the rubber and takes more signs from the rubber, hasn't the pitcher fulfilled 8.01 by taking the signs from the rubber. The fact that he took signs from off the rubber, too, is not a violation in my opinion, as long as once he is on the rubber he takes signs there as well.

I guess your argument revolves around the absence of the word "only" from the 8.01 sentence "Pitchers shall take signs from the rubber". It is certainly possible to make that argument from the rule language alone, and it would still fit with the presumed intent to prevent a quick pitch situation.

As the reference Jerry found points out, however, an original purpose of the rule was evidently also to speed up the game. Remember that the ball cannot be put back into play until the pitcher is on the rubber. Allowing the pitcher to take signs from anywhere off the rubber is going to delay that process AND in so doing it gives the defense the distinct advantage of having the ball remain dead while they figure out what they're going to do next. That anchors the offensive runners to their bases during the decision-making process.

Perhaps the intent was also to allow the offense to hurry up that process by making it possible for them to steal while signs are being taken by the defense. It certainly puts extra pressure on the pitcher and catcher to remain vigilant while signalling.

As long as the pitcher is taking signs it also becomes very difficult to make an argument for him deliberately delaying the game under OBR 8.05(h), especially if the ball is dead the whole time. There has to be some pressure on the defense for that process to be completed as quickly as possible. That pressure is a live ball and a runner entitled to steal.

Just speculating is all, but the more you force me to think about it the more I'm inclined to believe there is sound logic behind forcing pitchers to take signs only from a position of contact with the rubber.

Cheers.