Nitty-Gritty

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Hand up to hold pitch, is it an actual time out?

If so, why one hand and no verbal?
If so, may a runner leave a base?

If not, what rule prevents the pitcher from pitching, other than a no-pitch for everyone not being set?

No time out, since I do not hold my hand up.
On those rare occasions when a pitcher begins her motion before the batter is in, announce "no pitch". Do that once and the problem generally goes away.