How to Understand the Balk Rule in Baseball
One of the most misunderstood and difficult to grasp rules in baseball surrounds the interpretation of baseball's balk rule. Blink and you may miss it. Even among umpires there is no universal agreement on what constitutes a balk. But there are identifiable elements to understanding the balk rule and sometimes understanding what a balk is not is just as important. Generally speaking, any effort by a pitcher to deceive a base runner by feigning a move toward home plate is subject to being called a balk by an umpire. If an umpire calls a balk on the pitcher, all base runners automatically advance one base.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Check runners on base. A balk can only occur when there are runners at first and second base or when bases are loaded.
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2
Step towards first base. The pitcher cannot feign a move toward home plate and then deliver a throw to first base.
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3
Throw to first base. The pitcher must always throw the ball to first base if making his initial step towards first base. The pitcher is not allowed to feign a throw once making an initial step toward first base.
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4
Fake a throw to second or third base. The pitcher is allowed to feign a throw to second or third base if he makes one continuous motion. This is not considered a balk.
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5
Step toward first base but throw to second or third base. If there is a runner on first base, the pitcher is allowed, in one continuous motion, to step and turn toward first but throw to second base. This is not considered a balk.
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6
Fake a throw to third with runners at the corners. If there are runners at first and third base the pitcher is allowed to fake a throw to third base and then throw to first base without making an initial move toward first base. Again, this would not constitute a balk.
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1
Tips & Warnings
The pitcher may be called for a balk when he makes any type of move that is a departure from his natural motion to home plate. This could be something as obscure as lifting the ball from his glove without completing his delivery.
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Comments
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a lefty pitcher must by necessity swing to his left a bit to be able to attempt a first base pick-off.If he does not follow through, is this a balk?
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just one? if a guy doesn't finish his move to second and does not throw the ball is it a balk! I say yes but was told no.
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This rule has always been filled with contradictions and never addressed at winter meetings. For example a slide step is a "departure from his natural motion" but is not a balk. Leftys do all sorts of delays and contortions and these are not balks, but should a ball slip out of the pitchers glove and that's a balk. Brush a fly from your eye, that's a balk. Absurd!
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kpmnj
Apr 17, 2010
Agreed. #1 is incorrect. You can certainly balk with only one runner on base. #5 is also wrong.A pitcher must step toward a base before throwing to a base. He cannot, then, step toward first and then throw to second or third. That would be a balk. If he doesn't step, then he can go toward second in a continuous motion as you describe.
