Momentary Time

[Ump20]

Originally posted by phillycheese
I raise my hand from time to time in a game just as you described, for a catcher to adjust his equipment, batter to tie shoes, slow down a quick pitcher, etc. It is definitely a time out without having to verbalize "time", it is momentary in the sense you only have time for a few seconds. But I always say "play" and/or point a finger to put the ball back in play.

By all means in baseball you don't want a pitcher to deliver when the batter is not ready. It is a safety issue as well as a hornet's nest of controversy. Some umpires i/m/h/o needlessly call Time whenever the batter raises his hand. I tell the batter "...get ready. I won't let him pitch until you're set." I then only call Time if I see the pitcher preparing to pitch when the batter is still not set. Jim/NYC