Grandad,
A pitch may be called for verbally and considered to be a
" directed pitch ". The PU does not necessarily have to call for the pitcher to pitch however.
The applicable rule for this would be rule 6.02(a) The batter shall take his position in the batters box promptly when it is his time at bat.
(b) The batter shall not leave his position in the batter's box after the pitcher comes to Set Position, or starts his windup.
PENALTY: If the pitcher pitches, the umpire SHALL call ball or strike as the case may be.
Case book:
The batter leaves the batters box at the risk of having a strike delivered and called, unless he requests the umpire to call " Time." The batter is not at liberty to step in and out of the box at will.
This would be entirely different if the batter was in the box, and the pitcher was on the rubber and started to begin his preliminary motion, and the batter stepped out of the box without time being granted, and the pitcher failed to deliver the pitch and commited a balk with runners on.
When this happens you simply have a " do-over ", and warn both players.
I know I have strayed off of your question a little, but I hope this helps you.
Tim.
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As umpires, we are the only ones in the world expected to be perfect on our first day on the job, and improve from there.
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