Set postion

quote:

Originally posted by Jan Willem:
Last weekend I had a guy pitching for the first time. He did not take any signs from his catcher, was standing over the plate and only came in contact after coming to set position. Does a pitcher need to be in contact with the plate, before the set position? And would it be legal to take the signs when in set position?

OBR Chapter 8
"Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate."
"The Set Position. Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands
facing the batter with his pivot foot in contact with, and his other foot in front of, the
pitcher’s plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a
complete stop."

All right, I just couldn't take the goose egg on this one anymore.
"
Last weekend I had a guy pitching for the first time. He did not take any signs from his catcher, was standing over the plate and only came in contact after coming to set position. Does a pitcher need to be in contact with the plate, before the set position?"

YES, there is no other means of being set, one must be in contact.

"And would it be legal to take the signs when in set position?"

YES, it's called an audible.

Let's make sure we are using the right terms. Whether the pitcher is in the wind-up or the set, you need to be on the rubber before assuming the position.
The set requires you to place a foot on the rubber with your hands down. Whether you take signs or not you have to step on and take that position. Then in a seperate motion you can come set, which is where you have your hands together in front of your body. Now I'm sure you know all this but the HS book uses the set position for both the preliminary position and the actual set position.
Many inexperienced pitchers will step on the rubber and come set all in the same motion. This is not proper, it should be two seperate actions.
As far as taking signs, the rules say you need to be on the rubber to take signs from the catcher. DO NOT sweat this. All you want to make is that he doesn't quick pitch.

Thank you both for the clarification. Next time I will make sure he first makes contact to the rubber before he can start to come to a set.