Giving a batter time

[Dakota]

I know small ball has it's own mechanics, signals, etc. No problem with that (so long as the BB officials don't try to impose them on a softball game as if they are superior, etc.). However, this one makes little sense to me. There is a distinct difference between a dead ball and calling TIME. For example, if the ball is thrown out of play, it is dead when it goes out of play, not when the umpire declares it so. Whereas, if a player or coach requests TIME, it is not a time out UNTIL the umpire declares it so. Calling TIME when no one has requested TIME just to avoid having to say DEAD BALL is the screwy mechanic, if you ask me (but, of course, they didn't... and won't).