ASA: 10+ seconds, pitcher with hands together

[robbie]

Originally Posted by teebob21

So this happened this weekend...working an ASA 18 Gold game with a SLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW but legal pitcher. Normally she was up to a 14 or 15 second count out of the 20 allowed.

R1 on 2B. Count irrelevant, although I think it was 1-0. Pitcher brings her hands together, then shakes off a few signs. Then, a couple more. I am nearly to 10 when the batter asks for time, and I say "No, she's on a count. Stay." Batter backs out of the box anyway. The pitcher steps back off the pitcher's plate in response. My count, had it not been interrupted, would have been to 12, maybe 13 by now.

I called a dead ball; illegal pitch, ball on the batter due to the timing violation. My U1 partner (a VERY good umpire with high level experience) questioned me if we should move the runner. I said no.

I may have applied the college rule accidentally. In ASA, do we apply the base award for an illegal pitch on a timing violation, even if the pitch is not thrown? ASA 6A-1-E.

I do not do ASA ball so please allow me some questions for clarification:

Firstly: I know she may take as many signals as she wants once her hands are together - But did she alos take (or simulate taking) PRIOR to hands coming together. Or is that not an ASA requirement?

Secondly: Why would you call a violation (illegal pitch or otherwise) if she is only 12-13 seconds into a 20 second count?
Thanks in advance.