What is a balk in baseball

  



Have you ever heard the term "balk" watching baseball? It is one of the most confusing rule in the game. Baseball is a know to be filled with technicalities and rules that can be challenging to understand. That such rule is a "Balk". 

What is a Balk?

A balk is termed a illegal pitch that is called by the umpire at all levels of the game. A balk is commonly called with one or more runners on base and a illegal movement by the pitcher is made. While it is a single rule with multiple different illegal movement to draw a balking call. 

Types of Balks

  1.  The pitcher makes his natural pitching motion but fails to pitch home. 
  2. The pitcher feints a throw to 1st base, while touching the rubber, but fails to make the throw.
  3. The pitcher fails to step directly towards a base before throwing to that base. Note that you cannot throw then step. 
  4. The pitcher throws or fake throws to a unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play. 
  5. The pitcher makes a quick pitch off the rubber and/or not allowing time to become set.
  6. The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while they are not facing the batter.
  7. The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with the pitch while they are not touching the rubber.
  8. Unnecessarily delays the game. 
  9. The fakes a pitch without the ball, on or off the rubber.
  10. The pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes one hand from the ball
  11. The pitcher accidentally or intentionally drops the ball while on the rubber. 
  12. The pitcher, while delivering a intentional base on balls, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher's box. The catchers has to start in the catchers box and then move outside after the ball has been thrown. This is commonly known as the "Catcher's Balk". 
  13. The pitcher delivers from the set position without coming to a discernible stop. A change in direction is not a stop (Known as rolling through the pitch).

Tips to avoid a balk call

  1. Set position:  The set position is a commonly called in the younger baseball players rushing through their movements that can be called a balked movement. It is important to allow a brief pause in a T body form position, with hands together while the back foot is on the rubber. Avoid shrugging your shoulders or flinching to draw a illegal movement call while in this position.
  2. The Fake Throw: the only base to which you cannot fake throw without first stepping off the rubber is first base. You must throw to first if you go towards first. A pitcher has the option to throw or fake a throw to any base whenever they leave the rubber. 
  3. Reset: When in doubt or uncomfortable, step off the rubber. This allows you to reset and reposition for the next pitch. 


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