[AtlUmpSteve]

I'm not sure I followed your thought process here, Mike. Are you saying it is an offensive conference if the offensive coach talks to a player during a time out requested by the defense if the defensive conference isn't a charged conference?

My perspective and training follows Dakota's thought process. The offense did have a team rep talking with an offensive player, but 1) that team didn't request the suspension, and 2) didn't delay the game. As long as they hold their discussion during the time granted to the defense, this isn't a charged conference to either team.

In other words, any team representative can talk to any team member during any suspension of play caused by the umpires or the other team, as long as 1) they did not request the suspension, and 2) they did not delay the restart by their conversation, without that discussion being termed a "charged conference". This isn't just an exception, as I understand it; it is part of the rule (the request and/or the delay).