Conference in the circle

I have a quick question. can you be charged with a defensive conference between half innings? Earlier this week we were playing (middle school, NFHS rules) and at the end of our at-bat (I was coaching first base) I head back to the dugout. Per my usual routine, I pick up the ball, kick a little dirt back into groove left by the other pitcher and put the ball back down.
Our catcher had been on base (no CR in this instance), our pitcher trots out and we converse a little, while I am standing in the circle (no more than twenty seconds tops), then head to the dugout. By this time the catcher is geared up and heading to the plate.
PU says to me "that is your second conference, Coach"
I stop and give a curious look and he repeats it. "That is your second time out" to which I reply with "between innings?" and he says "yes, you were in the circle with the pitcher."
Never seen that one, but that does not mean anything.
Anyone got any clarification?

Not a conference. Definition of a charged conference "A charged conference is when the coach or dugout/bench personnel requests and is granted a time out to meet with offensive or defensive personnel."

It is between innings, there is no playing action and there is no time to be called or granted to speak with players so how can it possibly be a charged conference? You had an umpire that does not know what the definition of a charged conference is.

This is not a charged conference UNLESS it delays the start of the next inning.

Per NFHS, a team has up to one minute between innings...per your description, your conversation with the pitcher did not exceed that time frame.

Keep in mind that being in the circle has nothing to do with a charged conference. Had a noob catcher who got mixed up on the signals, called time out and walked over to me in the dugout. Blue looks at me, smiles and holds up 2 fingers. It was a teachable moment for the catcher.

I do almost exactly the same thing as you. Its my routine to always pick up the ball, rub off the dirt, fill in the pitching mound, and give my pitcher the ball. I always have a supportive comment for the pitcher, giver her 5 and walk back to the dugout... It takes 20 seconds at most.

In TB, I had more than one PU tell me that he could charge me with a conference because I was giving her instruction. Other umpires tell me that's nuts to charge a conference between innings... Usually the PU that mentions a conference charging offense is the variety that feels he must enlighten me of every obscure rule interpretation he can. My ignorance of the rules is almost more than he can bear... How about instead of acting all high & mighty, just start calling the other pitcher that is re-planting! LOL (that one is for riseball)

Ive had pretty much same thing happen to me 3 times. Twice in TB and once in allstars. In the TB I just quit giving them the opportunity to call it. Allstars is ridiculous on everything so I thought about walking around and behind backstop after a simple ball toss to pitcher got me charged with conf. I wish I had knew enough to ask as mentioned above about no action to interupt so I can't call time and if no time is called or granted how can it be a conf. Passing by a pitcher and exchanging a few words is no different then on deck batter coming out of dugout and exchanges words with base coach on way to batters box happening between plays with umps holding play for batter to get to box.

I have had the PU mention this to me a number of times also. As our catcher is getting geared up I will catch for our pitcher. Once I see our catcher on her way out I will carry the ball back to out pitcher (DD) and tell her how proud I am of her, have fun, and keep firing. PU said it was because I was on the field talking to the pitcher. I still do it every time I can and until I get the warning from the PU I will keep on

Sure are a lot of umpires who don't know the rules, and a simple one at that.

BTW, no pitcher can complete a warm-up of 5 pitches in 20 seconds

And, as noted, if the coach is still out there when the umpire calls for a batter, that can be considered a conference.

And talking to a base coach when the batter should be at the plate can also be considered a conference.

And, last but far from the least, a coach cannot "call time" , ever.

I meant to say I give her "high five" not 5 pitches... lol

My advice to the coaches who like to meet their pitcher in the cirlcle between innings and hand her the ball....Ive found my time is better spent hustling in and coaching up my defense before they run out. Whether its a quick word to one kid, or three different kids, you can convey a lot information in that minute. Let the pitcher pitch, she knows your proud of her.