Time out rules

Question
Hello Dr. Ambrose,

My question is can an umpire call time out during live play. There was a runner on both 1st and 2nd with 1 out. A ground ball was hit to our 3rd baseman who bobbled it but still had time to step on 3rd for the force out (out #2). He then saw the runner who went from 1st to 2nd take to much of a turn. Our 3rd baseman immediately threw the ball to 2nd which cause a run down and we got the runner (out #3). Play never stop, it was all continuous. When running to the dugout the umpire stated to us that she had called timeout right after the force out on 3rd. No one heard her. She stated to us that she can call timeout anytime she wants as long as the ball is in the infield. We argue the call but the other team kept telling her she was right. She stayed with her decision. The other team end up scoring 4 runs that inning.

Answer
Hi Alex,

This is what umpires call a "mess".  

10-4-e says an umpire will not call time while any play is in progress except for an injury that requires immediate attention.

10-4-i says in sp when in the judgement of an umpire all immediate play is apparently completed the umpire should call time.

I guess the umpire thought the only play was going to be at 3rd and called time after that out, maybe a little premature.

When an umpire calls "...time" (rightly or wrongly)  everything stops, so she should have stepped in, called dead ball vigorously and not allowed the run-down to occur.

This is like an inadvertent whistle in football, somebody's not going to like it but you have to live with it.

This is not a protestable call.

mark