With a runner on third and the batter requests Time, what is the penalty?

With a runner on third and the batter requests Time, what is the penalty?

• A. A strike shall be called on the batter.
• B. A ball will be awarded to the batter.
• C. A warning will be given to both players.
• D. There is no penalty on either the batter or the pitcher.

Answer: (D)

When Time is granted, the play is stopped and the ball becomes dead. No pitch is delivered, no ball or strike is charged, and runners return to their bases. With a runner on third, that runner cannot advance during this dead-ball moment, and the at-bat resumes with the same count. Therefore there is no penalty to either the batter or the pitcher. If Time were not granted, a delay could draw warnings or other penalties, but in this case, granting Time results in no penalty.

When Time is granted, the play is stopped and the ball becomes dead. No pitch is delivered, no ball or strike is charged, and runners return to their bases. With a runner on third, that runner cannot advance during this dead-ball moment, and the at-bat resumes with the same count. Therefore there is no penalty to either the batter or the pitcher. If Time were not granted, a delay could draw warnings or other penalties, but in this case, granting Time results in no penalty.