What Is a Balk in Baseball?
A balk is one of the lesser-known rules in the sport of baseball. A balk restricts the actions of the pitcher when there are runners on base. In general, a balk is called whenever a pitcher interrupts the pitching motion. Here are most of the situations that would cause an umpire to call a balk:
- Pitcher does not come to a complete stop while standing on the pitching rubber.
- During a pitch, ball slips out of a pitcher's hand and crosses the foul line. This would be a 'ball' if there were no runners on base.
- Pitcher begins to make the motions typically associated with his pitching stroke but ceases during its delivery.
- While on the pitching rubber, pitcher throws to a base before or without stepping toward that base. Note that the pitcher can step off of the pitching rubber and throw anywhere.
- Pitcher fakes a throw to an unoccupied base.
- With runners on base, pitcher makes a pitch before the batter has had sufficient time to get set in the batter's box. This would be a 'ball' if there were no runners on base.
- Pitcher makes a pitch while he is not facing the batter.
- Pitcher makes a motion typically associated with his pitching motion but his foot is not touching the pitching rubber.
- After pausing in the pitching position, pitcher removes one hand from the ball. Dropping the ball once on the pitching plate is also ruled a balk.
The underlying principle behind the balk rule is to protect base-runners and would-be base-stealers from being deceived by the pitcher. Deceiving a base-runner is the best way to throw him out. If the deception breaks one of the guidelines above, however, a balk has occurred.
What is the penalty for balking? Each base runner is allowed to advance one base; runners on third advance to home and score one run. The word 'balk' has also moved into colloquial speech and is used to refer to an intentional and abrupt stop.
