softball pitching and batting rule

Question
I have 2 questions. Both are based on situations I have seen called different ways by different umps.
1. The pitcher holds the ball at her side, showing the batter she is prepared to pitch. She brings her hands together and immediately goes into her windup. I have seen umps call this illegal due to not pausing for 1 second when she brought her hands together, and other umps have let it go, saying no such rule exists. Is a 1 second pause required when the pitcher brings her hands together?

2. A batter is in the batters box, the pitcher is prepared to pitch. The batter squares to bunt, but starts moving her bat back and forth and up and down to try to distract the pitcher. I have seen this called as a bunt attempt (and therefore a strike) as the pitcher was prepared to pitch and the batter made a clear forward movement after she had squared. Even though the ball had not been pitched. And other umps have let this go saying that there is no rule against this. Is there any rule against bat movement after the batter has squared, other then being allowed to pull it back when taking a pitch?

Thanks
Dave

Answer
Hi Dave,

1) no such rule exists for a pause, just bring the hands together for 1 sec.

2) depending on the org, the batter must make a "offer" to the pitched ball or not withdraw the bat in order to have a strike.  You cannot have a strike in this instance w/out a pitched ball.

Mark