[Tru_in_Blu]

I'm in the camp that is not calling time out on this scenario.

Yes, it is up to the defense to know the count. My method is to announce the count when we get to either 3 balls or 2 strikes while signalling at the same time. Or, whenever there has been a stoppage in play for some reason. However, I also give the count to the batter and catcher in lower volume fairly regularly.

It is also up to the offense to know the count as well. If I think a team is trying to utilize this as a strategic play and see it more than once in a game, I will speak to the head coach.

I don't think I have seen this happening more than a handful of times in games I've called. And of those, more likely an uncaught 2nd strike. And I believe it was always because the batter lost track of the count.