You are enjoying a baseball game on TV when the pitcher makes a tiny movement on the mound, and the umpire stops the game and advances all the runners by one base, then the TV commentators go into an explanation of a strange word called the ‘balk.’
A balk is an illegal action performed by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, allowing each runner to advance one base. A balk in baseball is called when the pitcher fakes a pitch or a pick-throw or makes any movement on the mound after he has confirmed the pitch call from the catcher.
Let’s look at the twelve rules of what constitutes a balk in baseball and when a catcher can be called for a balk. So let’s get on the mound and learn all about baseball’s balk.
When Was The Balk Rule Introduced In Baseball
The balk rule was included in the baseball rule book in 1898, but for the next century, pitchers could fake throws – e.g., a throw to third and throw to first- without penalty until this action was included under the balk umbrella in 2013.
12 Examples of a Balk in Baseball
Balk Rule #1: A Pitcher Can’t Drop The Ball When On The Rubber
While this may seem a bit harsh, dropping the ball when standing on the rubber constitutes a balk. Even though this does occur sometimes, it is a basic error that most good pitchers will be aware of and avoid – but it does happen.
Balk Rule #2: A Pitcher’s Hands May Not Separate Once In The Set Position
Once the pitcher has moved into the set position, the hands must stay together in the glove. He can only separate his hands without incurring the balk to step off the rubber.
Balk Rule #3: A Pitcher Must Have The Ball To Stand On Or Straddle The Rubber
To avoid the balk penalty, the pitcher has to have the ball in his hands if he is standing on the rubber or is straddling it with a foot on either side of the rubber. If he assumes either position without the ball, this is a balk.
Balk Rule #4: Pitchers May Not Delay The Game Unecessesarily
While this is a very rare balk call, the rule exists to stop pitchers from wasting game time by throwing fits or expressing frustrations or disappointment, which can disrupt the game’s flow.
Balk Rule #5: Pitchers May Not Perform Part Of The Pitching Motion When Not On The Rubber
Pitchers may not ‘practice’ their pitch when not on the rubber as this will potentially deceive batters and runners, which is not allowed. Performing the pitch motion when not on the rubber will constitute a balk; they need to rather get on the mound and pitch when ready.
Balk Rule #6: The Pitcher Must Be Facing The Batter When Pitching
This rule is a little more obscure, and there are no actual examples of this ever happening as the term ‘facing’ is vague. The idea that the pitcher needs to be ‘chest on’ to the batter isn’t valid either, as most pitchers would face third base for righties and first for lefties.
The application is that the pitcher should be looking at the better before pitching, but there has never been a balk call made under this rule.
Balk Rule #7: The Pitcher May Not Perform A Quick Pitch
The quick pitch is done when the batter has only one foot in the box, or the umpire hasn’t called ‘play’ to confirm the batter is set. Quick pitches can also be dangerous as the batter isn’t expecting the ball as he is not set.
A quick pitch could be legal when the batter is set, and the pitcher changes the timing or shortens the pitch motion to upset the batter’s timing, but this would have to be done only once the batter is set. If the umpire deems the pitch to be quick where the batter is not set, or he hasn’t called ‘play,’ he can call the balk.
Balk Rule #8: The Pitcher Must Come To Set And Pause Fully In The Stretch
The pitcher cannot wind and roll through his pitch; there has to be a one-second pause in the motion before the ball is delivered. When the hands come together, the pitcher has come set and has to stop completely.
Where the pitcher may be in good rhythm or form, they may not completely stop but have a slight pause to abide by this balk rule.
Balk Rule #9:The Pitcher Cannot Fake Or Throw To An Unoccupied Base
The umpire will call a balk if a pitcher fakes a throw to or throws to an unoccupied base. The pitcher can throw to a base if a runner is heading to that base without a balk penalty.
Balk Rule #10: A Pitcher On The Rubber Cannot Throw To A Base Without Stepping Toward It
This rule mostly applies to left-handed pitchers that would have their ‘hang’ move toward the first base or where right-handers have this move toward the third base. The umpire draws a 45-degree line, and the pitcher would have to step on that line toward the base to throw there without the umpire calling a balk.
Balk Rule #11:Pitchers Cannot Fake A Throw To First Base
If a pitcher wants to perform a first-base pick-off move while standing on the rubber, they must move toward the first base. If the throw is faked, this is called a balk. As long as the back foot moves first and even if it disconnects from the rubber, the move is legal, provided the throw is made.
Balk Rule #12:A Pitcher Cannot Stop And Start Their Pitching Motion
Once the pitcher starts his full pitch motion, he has to complete the motion. He may not stop it for any reason, whether that be a runner stealing base or fielders shouting instructions. A pitcher may neither flinch nor move any body part other than his head.
Flinching may occur where the pitcher has received the call and is moving to set, then stops to get a different sign or where he thought he had the sign, starts to move set, and realizes he doesn’t have all the info. He will flinch, come to set, stop and go back for the sign.
The Catcher’s Balk
While the majority of the rules of the balk apply to the pitcher, a catcher can also be called for a balk if he is not standing inside the demarcated catcher’s box at the pitch. The catcher must be standing behind the plate in his catcher’s box.
If he is not, the umpire can call the balk, and each runner will advance one base. If no runners are on base, an extra ball is added to the count, and the pitch is called illegal. Now, let’s look at the twelve rules that govern the balk for pitchers.
Conclusion
The balk is relatively simple to understand as deceiving the batter or runners are not allowed in baseball. The various balk rules prevent pitchers from purposefully putting batters or runners at a disadvantage.
While the balk is one of baseball’s more complex rules, it is something that all pitchers should be familiar with and understand so that they don’t risk getting called for this penalty while on the mound.