Check Swing/Time Limit

[umpinva]

Saw this at the NSA World Series in Chattanooga, TN:

Bottom of six with the home team down by two runs. R1 at second with one out and a 3-2 count on the batter. OC (In third base coaching box) knows that if the defense gets three outs before time runs out, his team will be able to bat again.

OC is granted time and talks with the batter and R1. On the next pitch, the batter swings at a high inside pitch but the PU did not see the swing because F2 blocked him out and a ball is called. The batter quickly runs towards the dugout as the PU shouts that the pitch was called a ball. OC and the crowd begin shouting that the batter swung at the pitch and F2 asks the PU to check with the BU. PU asks BU if there was a swing and the BU says no and gives the safe signal. PU says ball four and directs the batter to go to first base. The crowd and the OC are going nuts. The OC gets the PU to ask the BU again if there was a swing. This time the BU says yes and gives the strike/out signal. PU now declares the batter out (second out) and begins walking back toward home plate from near the third base coaching box. R1 now steps off second base while the pitcher has the ball in the circle and the OC begins shouting that R2 is off the base and the look back rule needs to be applied.

PU says the LBR is not in effect because time had been called when he began discussing the check swing with the OC. PU gets to the plate with the batter in the box, puts the ball in play with five seconds left in the game. One pitch and time expired, ball game.

Wow!

[MTR]

Shame on the PU for even entertaining the OC's request.

Shame on the BU for apparently not having a clue.

Shame on the rules using time limits for not using a one-inning extension (and that applies to all associations, not just this one).

[ajaywill]

The only thing I question is why the BU changed his mind?

Other than that...what's the problem?