Game/Time management

[Chess Ref]

I am the PU. Two teams from the same area playing each other in round of 16 Winner bracket. The game goes 9 innings and lasts 2 hours 15 minutes. After the game the UIC believed I didn't do a very good job of managing the game, i.e. I let the players control the pace of the game.

The biggest time management issue I had was one of the pitchers would pause for literally 7-10 seconds before delivering the pitch. It was a noticeable delay. These teams knew each other, so often, during this pause, the batter would ask for time and I would grant it. So then we would do the drill again.

At the time it seemed to me that these time out requests were legimate. But having got dinged by my UIC for this area in particular I am wondering if there is anything or anyway else i could have handled this .

Feedback or comments please.......