Many youth baseball teams have young players who may be timid about playing for the first time. They may want to come to the plate and then step out of the batter's box after every pitch to gather themselves. While this may be understandable, the rules do not allow players to call timeout whenever they want.
Batter's Box
Little League players may not call timeout at any point in the game. They may ask for timeout, but a timeout is not given until the umpire approves it. This is a common misconception in Little League baseball. Many batters will step out of the batter's box after every pitch and will not ask for any timeout. They are under the assumption that they can step in and out of the batter's box at will. The umpire can put that practice to a halt quickly by remaining in position and asking the pitcher to deliver a pitch when the batter is not in the batter's box. While that is extreme, umpires can also address the situation at the pregame meeting with the head coaches. The umpire can explain to the coaches that players have to ask for timeouts and they should try to stay in the batter's box throughout the at bat.
Completed Play
When a play is completed, a player may ask for a timeout. For example, if a batter hits the ball to right center field, the outfielder will chase the ball down in the gap, relay it to the second baseman who throws it to third base in an attempt to throw out the batter. If the tag is late and the batter is safe, the third baseman can turn to the umpire and request time. The play is over and that infielder can deliver the ball to the pitcher and talk to him after the play is over.
Ball Out of Play
Once a ball is out of play, time is out. The rule in Little League baseball is that all base runners get two bases when the ball goes out of play. So if a runner was on first base at the start of the play and the shortstop fields a ground ball and throws it over the first baseman's head and out of play, the runner will go to third base and the batter will go to second. It doesn't matter where the runner was when the ball went out of play. The only factor is where the runner was at the start of the play. As soon as the umpire rules that the ball is out of play and the runners get to their respective bases, a player can ask for timeout.
Equipment Problems
Little Leaguers can ask for a timeout if they have any equipment problem. This can be true of a baserunner who has a broken shoe lace, a batter who has an ill-fitting helmet or a catcher who has a problem with his mask or shin guards. Little League is supposed to be a healthy and safe experience, and players may call timeout when any safety issue is involved.
Pitching Change
Little League players may not call timeout to make a pitching change. That is the domain of the coach or the manager. A catcher may alert the umpire that the head coach is coming out of the dugout, but it is up to that adult to ask for timeout to talk to the pitcher or make a pitching change.
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