A balk occurs when a pitcher makes an illegal motion on the mound that the umpire deems to be deceitful to the runner(s). ... Pitchers with high balk totals are also generally adept at picking runners off, this being because their moves to first base are typically so deceptive that they border on being illegal.

Why is it called balk?

The former home of the San Francisco Giants was notorious because of the gusty winds. According to the legend, Giants pitcher Stu Miller was blown off the mound by a gust of wind and the home plate umpire called a balk.

How many ways can you balk in baseball?

There are 13 ways to balk in baseball, and most of them are relatively simple and don't require much thought as a pitcher once you learn them.

What is an example of balk?

The definition of balk is to stop or hold back from doing something. An example of something at which someone might balk is cleaning up a mess that he did not make. An example of an animal that may balk is a mule. To stop short and refuse to go on.

How do you spot a balk in baseball?

A balk occurs when a pitcher tries to catch a runner off base with a pick-off throw after he has started his delivery to the batter. To avoid balking, a pitcher standing on the rubber cannot raise either foot from the ground toward home plate unless he is starting his delivery.

What constitues a balk?

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How do you identify a balk?

In the simplest sense, a balk is when the pitcher tries to intentionally deceive the hitter or runner. It can be a flinch on the mound after the pitcher gets set, a deceptive pick off attempt, or even just as simple as dropping the ball once you become set. There are many actions that can result in a balk.

Who can call a balk?

Balk actions

A pitcher is restricted to a certain set of motions and one of two basic pitching positions before and during a pitch. If these regulations are violated with one or more runners on base, an umpire may call a balk. The batter at home plate does not advance on a balk.

Why would a pitcher intentionally balk?

The intentional balk is a tactic used in baseball. It involves the pitcher deliberately balking in order to move a baserunner from second base to third base, in order to prevent sign stealing.

Is balk a dead ball?

The penalty for a balk is that all base runners are awarded one base. ... The penalty for an illegal pitch is awarding one ball to the batter (unless the batter reaches first base safely on the pitch). A balk is a delayed dead ball.

Can you balk with no runners on?

A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.

Can a catcher balk in baseball?

Rule 5.02(a) says a catcher's balk happens when the catcher is out of position on a pitch: "Except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand."

How many ways is a balk?

According to the official rules of the MLB, there are 13 ways a pitcher can balk. The ways a pitcher can balk ranges from the way they come to their set position and all the way through how they deliver the ball to home.

Can a pitcher fake a third base throw?

Under a rule change imposed by Major League Baseball for this season, pitchers can no longer fake a pickoff throw to third base. Pitchers who did this would almost always follow by wheeling and firing to first — or to second, if a duped runner had taken off in that direction.

Can a pitcher fake throw to first?

A pitcher can not feint a throw to first base.

Can a pitcher balk before coming set?

Prior to coming set, you are not in a legal pitching position and there can be no deception. A runner will not break for second before the pitcher comes to a Set Position.

What is a dead ball in baseball?

A dead ball is a ball that is out of play. ... Dead balls are frequent occurrences during a game, and the dead-ball period typically does not last long before the ball is put back into play. Dead balls most frequently occur when a batted ball becomes a foul ball or a fair ball is hit out of the playing field.

Can a catcher throw to an unoccupied base?

First - even in baseball the pitcher can throw to the base where the runner WAS, and the catcher can throw to ANY base. Second - in softball there are no such rules (the pitcher can't throw ANYwhere) at all. The catcher (in both sports) is simply an infielder trying to make a play.

Can a ball be called with nobody on base?

Rule 8.05(e) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.

Can a pitcher throw to an unoccupied base?

It is an illegal pitch or a balk to throw to an unoccupied base while in contact with the pitching plate (rubber).

Can you refuse a balk?

First, based on the 2018 Official Baseball Rules, I give you the penalty for a balk. ... The word is “used in laws, regulations, or directives to express what is mandatory.” In short, a runner can't decline a balk.

Does everyone advance on a balk?

Therefore, with a runner on first, first and second, or first, second and third, when a balk is called on the fourth ball, the batter goes to first base and all runners advance at least one base. If they attempt to advance more than one base, they do so at their own risk.

Does an intentional walk count as 4 pitches?

From now on, when a team wants to intentionally walk a batter, the pitcher will not have to lob the four pitches outside the strike zone. Instead, the team's manager can point the runner to first base. Simple rule.

When should time be called after a balk?

If the pitcher does NOT throw the ball, 'Time' should be called and the balk f d enforced. If the pitch is thrown and it is caught by the catcher, call 'Time' the moment the ball is caught. If however, the pitch is ball four and all runners including the batter advance one base disregard the balk.

How often does a balk happen?

Balks are rare.

Since 2000, there have only been 100-200 balks per season, which is roughly one every 12 to 24 games (or 648 to 1296 innings pitched) in a full 2430-game season.

Can a pitcher pause in his windup?

2—A pitcher may pause during his delivery from the windup position without penalty. There is no similar "approved ruling" in professional baseball.