What is taking a sign to you?

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Simulating taking a sign is pausing with hand separated while on the pitcher's plate. Nothing more, nothing less. Not too complicated. Coaches are always looking for a cheap advantage to get into the opposing pitcher's head.

Had a coach doing exactly that in a game I worked last July in a non-championship tournament. I thought, ok, fine...

Next half inning, first runner gets a clean single to LF. Rounds first, comes back. Ball is in circle, runner is standing on orange (like I said, it was last year, couldn't do it this year) base. 1001 boom, out, coach comes unglued, asks the musical question, "How can you call chicken stuff like that?"

"Well, coach, actually..."

He's a smart coach and got my drift. Nothing more said about where pitchers took signs the rest of the game.

If they pause with hands apart, that's fine with me. The intent of the rule is to prevent quick pitching, and as long as they don't quick pitch, why should it be called??????

[GRUMP]

[QUOTE=

If they pause with hands apart, that's fine with me. The intent of the rule is to prevent quick pitching, and as long as they don't quick pitch, why should it be called??????[/QUOTE]
I do the same.
But...


Why is the rule written as it is? Why not change it to:

a. Proir to pitching...

b. Pause.

c. After completing "b" ....

Why is it like a riddle ? If the intent is to prevent a quick pitch , just state it like that. JMHO