No pitch if batter not ready?

[greymule]

I've had several coaches try to tell me that as long as the batter is in the box, the pitcher can pitch. Since the batter is not supposed to leave the box between pitches, that would mean that the pitcher can always pitch at any time.

Usually you know quickly whether the pitcher, like 95 percent of pitchers, will wait until the batter gets set and looks out at the mound. I do many games in which I very seldom if at all have to put my hand up. In those instances in which the pitcher needs to be reined in, I do it.

Funny—slow pitch requires more umpire control over the pitcher than does fast pitch, in my experience.