time being called

Question
time out was called to the field umpire by the center fielder and short stop.  It was granted and the umpire raised his hands and called time.  After the umpire motioned for time the pitcher pitched and the home umpire did not signal for time.  The ball was hit by the short stop, whom had his back to the field, and the home plate umpire ruled it a live ball.  He insisted that the call had to be made to the home plate umpire, implying that he was the only one that could call time.  I would like to know that if the rule book states that time can only be called from the home plate umpire?  Also throughout my many years of baseball and few years of umpiring it was common sense to always watch the field and field umpire before each pitch.

Answer
Good morning Adam,

Time can be called by ANY umpire on the field.  The hp umpire has no special authorization to be the only one to call time although during a game they usually do most of it because they can see the whole field.

Because the field umpire called time, we have time and you could have protested the next play if you chose too.

As the field umpire I would have gone to the hp umpire and simply said Bob, I had time....and we would bring the b-r back.

After the game we would have had a private "little discussion" about about him making sure I was in position and ready for the next pitch.  We usually do that either by eye contact or eye contact and quick point.  Something to acknowledge we're both ready to play.  We would also talk about his hp time understanding.

This is a while ago but it pertains to your question.  In 1995 at the MI men's A state tournie, a pitch was in the air, runners on, when the field umpire called time.  The batter hit into a fly ball out (it was a big out in the game).  It just so happened an ASA national big guy was there.  I asked him his ruling, he said as far as he was concerned "that pitch was forever suspended in mid-air".

hope this answers your question

Mark