Fastpitch Softball

Question
Can a base umpire determine a hit batsman, and make the ensuing call without an appeal by the homeplate umpire?  In a 12U tournament fastpitch game, the home plate umpire called the pitch a ball.  The base umpire called dead ball, and sent the batter to first saying the ball had it her. The flight of the all had not been altered. The home plate umpire then asked the batter if she had been hit and she replied that she had not.  The base umpire insisted that she had, at which time the home plate umpire allowed the girl to go to first.  I argued that the call was not the base umpire's to call without an appeal by the home plate umpire.  He then said that if he saw it he can call it. I completely disagree.  What is your opinion?

Answer
Yes this call can be made by the base umpire but I am not sure why they would.  

There are not rules on who makes what calls.  There are mechanics that umpires use to make sure the umpire in the best postion to make a call makes the the call.

If I was working with this base umpire he/she would have some explaining to do to me after the game.

Tom