Could You Call a Time Out?

So runner on third, ball 4 to backstop, walked batter takes off and is most likely going to second. Before the walked batter gets to 1st, could the catcher pick up the ball and call timeout, resulting in the walked batter to stop on first?

ndame88 said:

So runner on third, ball 4 to backstop, walked batter takes off and is most likely going to second. Before the walked batter gets to 1st, could the catcher pick up the ball and call timeout, resulting in the walked batter to stop on first?

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The catcher may ask for timeout. The umpire should not grant a timeout.

I have always been required to get the ball to the pitchers mound prior to calling a time out.

Carbby_Bob has right answer.

The umpires should not grant time until in thier opinion the play has “stopped”.

So if the batter-runner seems content to stay on first they probably will grant it regardless of who has the ball. If you whip it back to the P in the circle but the batter-runner is still moving they should not grant it.

The reason I asked, last night during the Cubs Mets game, there was a pitch in the dirt, runner on third, runner wanted to play a little cat and mouse, catcher just called time out, runner went back to base. I know it is baseball and a little bit different scenario, but it go me thinking

ndame88 said:

The reason I asked, last night during the Cubs Mets game, there was a pitch in the dirt, runner on third, runner wanted to play a little cat and mouse, catcher just called time out, runner went back to base. I know it is baseball and a little bit different scenario, but it go me thinking

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In MLB, ball in the dirt gets the ball put out of play and replaced with a new ball. That is why time is called.

ndame88 said:

The reason I asked, last night during the Cubs Mets game, there was a pitch in the dirt, runner on third, runner wanted to play a little cat and mouse, catcher just called time out, runner went back to base. I know it is baseball and a little bit different scenario, but it go me thinking

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You need to understandf the "xxx" called time" thing. Unless the "xxx" is the umpire, it isn't possible. ONLY an umpire may suspend play whether baseball, softball, major league or recreational. Being aware of that, the answer to just about any question involving time out.

AFA the "ball in the dirt" being replaced at the MLB level, that still doesn't stop play. If the umpire calls time, s/he has taken the stance that all obvious play is over