What is a Balk in Baseball

In baseball, a balk is one of those intriguing moments when an unexpected move by the pitcher can bring the game to a halt. If the umpire spots a suspicious action on the mound, they stop the play and might signal for runners to move forward by one base. Broadcasters often spend a few seconds discussing this funky term, which only adds to the mystery. But exactly what triggers this call? It comes down to an intricate set of rules designed to keep the pitcher in check.

At its core, the balk rule is intended to prevent the pitcher from faking a pitch or pick-off to deceive the runners. This action must align with a long list of dos and don’ts that each pitcher needs to know by heart. For example, the umpire might call a balk if a pitcher fails to stop completely in the set position or if their hands come apart after starting their motion. These rules keep the game fair, ensuring runners aren’t tricked into moving when the pitcher has no intention of delivering the pitch.

Interestingly, left-handed pitchers, often known as crafty southpaws, have additional rules to navigate. Their straight-on view of first base adds complexity, requiring their right foot to land accurately in the direction of their throw. Right-handed pitchers, or righties, face a slightly different angle and need to maintain a clear direction toward either home plate or the intended base. Any flinch or stepping off the rubber without commitment can also result in a balk.

In the United States, Official Baseball Rules govern this across professional play in the United States and Canada. Under NFHS Baseball Rules for high school games, a balk leads to an immediate dead ball. When enforced, the pitch is generally nullified, and each runner advances to the next base. Whether in Major League Baseball or under NFHS rules, the balk rule keeps the pitcher in check, with umpires mindful of its purpose: to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the runner.
In baseball, a balk is a unique infraction that can stop play and impact the game by advancing runners. Understanding what a balk is and how it’s enforced can be key to appreciating the strategy behind each pitcher’s moves on the mound. To explore how a balk impacts scoring strategies, you might also want to check out what a “crooked number” means in baseball scoring. Scoring multiple runs in a single inning, or “putting up a crooked number,” often builds momentum and affects both the pitcher’s focus and game dynamics.

Balk Rules and History in Baseball

There are various ways for a pitcher to draw a balk from an umpire, often involving motions that mimic the start of a delivery but stop just before firing the pitch. If the catcher is not entirely within the box when the pitcher throws the ball, or if they aren’t facing the hitter upon release, a balk can be called. Some pitchers, like Luis Tiant, who famously used a tornado windup, need to turn back towards home plate to avoid a balk.

The rule for balks first entered the rule book in 1898, and over the years, it evolved to include more scenarios. Originally, a pitcher could make a fake pickoff throw to a base before throwing to another base, but that was included under the balk rule in a later season. The pitcher dropping the ball—whether intentionally or not—is also a balk. In these cases, runners are allowed to advance, which has led to game-ending balks and even ballgames won because of this rule.

Some of the most embarrassing balks in MLB history include Stu Miller being tipped by fierce winds at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in the All-Star Game, and Hall of Fame pitcher Steve Carlton holding the MLB record with 90 career balks. This rule is a staple on the mound and has seen its share of legendary instances.

For any pitcher striving to reach the ranks of the best, mastering the balk rule is essential. The best pitchers learn to avoid any extra step or reset of the pivot foot that might lead to a balk being called, as it’s a fundamental aspect of professional baseball.

Balk Regulations and Restrictions for Pitchers

A pitcher is restricted to a certain set of motions and can only use two basic pitching positions before and during a pitch. If these regulations are violated with runners on base, the umpire may call a balk, stopping play. The batter at home plate does not advance on a balk, unlike a runner on base, who may.

During a game, Mike Hauschild once talked to an umpire after a balk was called while he was astride the rubber. Under Official Baseball Rules, a balk can be called if the pitcher switches from the windup to the set without disengaging the rubber. Other balk-worthy motions include a motion associated with a pitch that isn’t completed or failing to stop completely in the set position with hands together.

In pitching from the mound, if a pitcher throws to an unoccupied base, or feints a throw to first or third base without completing the throw, it’s considered a balk. Similarly, delivering a quick return pitch to catch a batter off-guard or dropping the ball accidentally while on the rubber can also trigger a balk call. Certain violations, like standing astride the rubber without the ball or mimicking a pitch, are similarly treated under this rule.

The 2023 pace-of-play rules even charge a balk if a pitcher attempts a pickoff more than twice in a single at-bat without recording an out or advancing the runner. Under NFHS Rules, feinting a throw or dropping the ball accidentally may lead to a balk call. Additionally, if a pitcher moves his non-pivot foot without stepping toward a base, a balk may be called.

Balk Violations and Exceptions in Baseball

in Major League Baseball, a pitcher may be allowed to feint a move toward third or second base, then turn and throw or feint to first base if their pivot foot has disengaged from the rubber after the initial feint. Known as the “fake to third, throw to first” play, this move was officially classified as a balk in the 2013 season. If runners are on base when a pitcher commits any other balkable action, there’s typically a penalty, with runners advancing by one base.

A balk might occur if the pitcher attempts a quick return pitch, acts confusing to the batter, or violates the rules by making illegal actions. If the pitcher repeats these actions without runners on base, no penalty applies, but persistently violating could lead to ejection. Some hidden ball tricks by the defensive team can also lead to a balk if the pitcher stands on the rubber before the fielder reveals the ball to the runner(s), attempting to deceive them about the ball’s location. In such cases, the runner is awarded the next base.

Catcher’s Balk and Pick-Off Rules

A catcher’s balk is an atypical situation that isn’t a standard term in the official rules, but it’s often used to describe a unique violation during an intentional walk. If the catcher isn’t completely within the catcher’s box when the pitcher releases the ball, this is treated as a balk, with the penalty ultimately charged to the pitcher. This pitcher illegal action can influence the game, as it disrupts delivery timing and advances any runners on base.

For pick-off plays, the pitcher doesn’t need to step off the rubber before throwing to an occupied base. With one foot on the rubber, the pitcher can be in either the windup position or set position to deliver the ball to the batter, throw to a base for a pickoff, or step off the rubber. MLB rules also require pitchers to take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate, though this is not classified as a balk infraction in itself

In major league history, Steve Carlton holds the record with 90 balks in his career, showcasing how this unique call has affected even the best. For a single season, Dave Stewart set a remarkable record with 16 balks in 1988 while pitching for the Oakland Athletics. However, the most balks in one game belongs to Bob Shaw, who committed five balks on May 4, 1963, while pitching for the Milwaukee Braves against the Chicago Cubs. During that game, four balks occurred when Cubs’ runner Billy Williams was on base. In a memorable third inning, Shaw walked Williams and then balked him to second, third, and eventually home.

In other unusual instances, knuckleballer Charlie Hough was called for nine balks during a single exhibition game in March 1988, with seven occurring in a single inning as umpires enforced a new rule for maintaining the set position. More recently, on September 27, 2022, Miami Marlins reliever Richard Bleier received three balks in a row from first-base umpire John Tumpane while facing New York Mets’ Pete Alonso. This series of calls led to a runner balking home and the ejection of both Marlins Manager Don Mattingly and Bleier himself. CBS Sports opined that such balks were not obvious, emphasizing how subjective the balk call can be.

F&Q

What is a Balk in Baseball?

A balk is when a pitcher performs an illegal motion on the mound that an umpire deems as deceitful to any runner(s) on base. When a balk occurs, all men on base are awarded the next base, and any pitch made is waved off for a dead ball. This rule helps maintain fairness in baseball by preventing pitchers from tricking runners with false moves.

Why is it Called a Balk?

The origin of the term “balk” goes back to old English games like rounders and cricket, where rules restricted players from moving their feet freely during certain parts of play. In these early games, a balk would indicate when a player had broken those rules. This concept was adapted for modern baseball, where the term balk highlights an intentional rule violation.

What are examples of a balk?

Under Official Baseball Rules, a balk can happen when a pitcher is astride the rubber with a runner on base and switches pitching positions from the windup to the set (or vice versa) without properly disengaging their foot from the rubber. This type of motion is one of many actions that could prompt a balk call.