Is the ball dead?

[wpiced]

There is R1. S1 is already in the set position as BR takes his sign and steps into the batter's box, simaltaneously raising his hand requesting time to settle into the box. UIC raises his left hand to hold off the pitch, when S1 attempts to steal 2nd. Time was not called verbally, just the raising of UIC'S left hand toward the pitcher. D skipper yells, "hey, the ball is dead!" O skipper says, "no time out was called."

Is the ball dead by just raising a hand to hold off the pitcher? Must "time" be called verbally each time in that situation?

S1 was sent back to 1st.