time out... who can call time outon offense?

not an ump, but it seems kinda simple really . . .

since "time out" can only be REQUESTED - -
was the time out GRANTED when you asked for it

I can see how in the situation you describe it wouldn't be as a potential play still exists as evidenced by the out call

lead off man hit a triple. third had the ball but not in time. i asked for time, it was apparently not granted. my kid lifted his lead leg and the tag was applied. he was called out. this is a side note. the ump was standing behind the play, not where he could see the whole thing. my player was actually butted to the base. his lead leg was on top of the bag and his tucked leg was halted under him on the bag. in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter, but in burns me a little. i didn't get granted time out when the ump was 10 feet from me. the runner didn't attempt to go further. i believe it was just a case of a man trying to play umpire.

Time out is requested, but the ump has to grant time out.
Also, under Federation rules you are only allowed one offensive time out per inning.

one offensive "conference"... not just one time out. And yes your players need to understand that time out is just a request and until the ump calls it the ball is live.

can you give me the reference in the rule book. i'm new to much of this, and would like to learn as much as possible. thanks, clark

clark,

References:
Rule 2-38 Definition
Rule 5-2-1 Suspension of Play: "Time" shall be called by the umpire and play is suspended when:
e. a player or coach requests "Time" and it is granted by the umpire for a substitution, conference with the pitcher or for similar cause;

As mentioned above by the others; a player or coach can request a time out but play is still live until the umpire calls "Time".

also remember that time can not be granted while the ball is live. if the umpire felt this to be in this particular situation, then indeed he would not grant time. the umpire must also feel that time needs to be called otherwise he will not grant it.

Umpires try to keep the ball live as much as possible. We don't grant timeout everytime it is asked for. We also look arround first to make sure all play has stopped. In this case it was a trple so nothing to look for but don't assume that if you ask for time it will automaticly get granted.
I was working a D1 game with a runner on second. They had a hit and run on but the batter strudk out instead. The catcher dropped the ball so the batter is trying for first. As I start sliding for the call at first I see the throw go to third. I turn and the R3 is standing in foul brushing himself off. I get the out nad had to explain to his coach that I didn't grant time because I had a play going to first.

As we get closer to summer ball, I'm reminded that many players and coaches are not as aware of a good many of rules that the higher levels of baseball are aware of...

Calling Time out.....many are under the misunderstanding that they call time out.....as previously stated... you request time out and you need to make sure time out has been granted or you are at the risk of being put out.

Much of this comes from the youth leagues where every player wants time out to throw the ball in, or dust himself off or get up from a pick off throw......

Good umpires do not call time out every time it is requested....Baseball is a game of continuing action...calling time out without being clear that all action has ceased is asking for trouble....

This is not "playing Umpire"........this is good umpiring common sense....if an Umpire has ever made a mistake of calling time during any action or play, he must be willing to take the resulting criticism from the other coach....

(note: Years ago I did this and paid for it...mistake well learned.)....

i agree with the not every play needs a timeout, but this was a lead off triple. he slide hard and was on the base awkward. he would have had to roll all over the bag to maintain contact with it. he was actually still on the bag. his sliding leg was still tucked under him and on the bag. his front leg was hanging over the bag all the way up to his knee.

he indeed was playing umpire. he missed 2 calls at second base, and was standing right there watching it. i know that things are missed, that is part of the game. this guy must have rented the blue suit.

if there was other action going on, i can understand not granting time. this out of the plate ump's mouth," the reason i wasn't given time out, was because i asked for it and not the player. there is no rule saying the coach can't ask for time. you just needed to be there, to realize this guy wasn't good.

I'll take your word for the quality of the umpiring. After 20 years nothing suprises me anymore.....

The truth of HS baseball, especially at the JV level, is that you dont often get the best umpire, just the most available umpire.......

Most associations assign umpires to games based on ability and availabilty, the best getting the better varsity games and the least qualified getting the lower level JV. It doesnt mean you should not get the best umpiring available since it is just JV, but as you can now readily attest, it does happen...

best of luck....

I would grant time if the player had requested it, if he is on the bag as you describe in other words in no position to easily get up. I would probably ignore the coaches request. The player should know if he needs time or not. The defense has an opportunity for an out should the runner be unable to hold the bag.

I've also on pick off attempts, where the runner is clearly safe but in a belly flop position, with the defender holding the tag on the middle of his back, simply said "let him up", kinda teaches the defense that hey, he's safe, lets keep it moving.. with out having to call a time out. Bottom line, REQUEST time, but wait until it's granted