"It says here that it's not a balk, but a pitcher can be warned and then ejected if he keeps doing it. http://www.amateurumpire.com/amateur...ech/mech08.htm" "There is no penalty, except possible ejection if he continues to do it after you warn him, or you may call an illegal, quick pitch if he quickly steps on the rubber after getting the sign, and pitches without hesitation. If he doesn't quick pitch, then when and where he gets the sign is not much to worry about. The intent of the rule is simply to require a pause after stepping on the rubber. It sort of goes hand-in-hand with rule 2.00 Quick-Return Pitch and Illegal Pitch An ILLEGAL PITCH is (1) a pitch delivered to the batter when the pitcher does not have his pivot foot in contact with the pitcher’s plate; (2) a quick return pitch. An illegal pitch when runners are on base is a balk. A QUICK RETURN pitch is one made with obvious intent to catch a batter off balance. It is an illegal pitch. 8.01 Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate. Rule 8.01 Comment: Pitchers may disengage the rubber after taking their signs but may not step quickly onto the rubber and pitch. This may be judged a quick pitch by the umpire." http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=27009&page=59