spirit of the rules
Larks,
This is a great example of why you do not want to be a "text book" official. This may ruffle some feathers, but such is life. You have to deal with each situation that comes up in a game and weigh the merits of calling the play by the exact wording of the rule versus the spirit of the rule.
In the case you presented, you can go back to the coach and ask if he still wants the time out. As long as you do this before you officially grant it, there is no problem and you have saved yourself a whole lot of grief.
The rule book is a guide which gives us standards by which to control the game. Every instance does not have to, and should not be taken literally. I realize that there are some here who are very proficient with the "letter of the law" in the book. This is great, but does not mean that they can or cannot call a decent game.
Take the advice of this site and learn from it. Much is good, but some is so theoretical that you will only get yourself in a lot of trouble if you get caught up so much in the book itself that you forget to allow the game to happen.
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