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by Renee on April 29th, 2009

Renee

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What constitutes a "balk" in baseball?

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  • by Someguy on April 29th, 2009

    Someguy

    From wikipedia -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balk

    Balkable actions

    With a runner on base and the pitcher on or astride the rubber, it is a balk[2] when the pitcher:

    * switches his pitching stance from the windup position to the set position (or vice versa) without properly disengaging the rubber;
    * when going from the stretch to the set position, fails to make a complete stop with his hands together before beginning to pitch;
    * throws from the rubber to a base without stepping toward (gaining distance in the direction of) that base;
    * throws from the rubber to a base where there is no runner and no possibility of a play;
    * steps or feints from the rubber to first base without completing the throw;
    * pitches a quick return pitch, that is, pitches with the intent to catch the batter off-guard;
    * pitches or mimics a part of his pitching motion while not in contact with the rubber;
    * drops the ball while on the rubber;
    * after a feint or throw to a base from the rubber, fails to disengage the rubber before reengaging and pitching;
    * after beginning to pitch, interrupts his pitching motion;
    * begins to pitch while the catcher is out of the catcher's box when giving an intentional walk;
    * while pitching, removes his pivot foot from the pitching rubber, except to pivot or as a natural consequence of stepping forward to release the pitch;
    * unnecessarily delays the game;
    * pitches while facing away from the batter;
    * after bringing his hands together on the rubber or engaging the rubber with his hands together, separates them except in making a pitch or a throw;
    * stands on or astride the rubber without the ball, or mimics a pitch without the ball; or
    * steps to first base and throws to the first baseman who, because of his distance from the base, is (or would have been) unable to try a tag against the runner at first base

    In addition, if a pitcher commits any of the following illegal actions, it may result in a balk under certain circumstances:

    * expectorates (spits) on the ball, either hand or his glove;
    * rubs the ball on his glove, person or clothing;
    * applies a foreign substance of any kind to the ball;
    * defaces the ball in any manner; or
    * delivers a ball altered in a manner described above or what is called the “spit” ball, “shine” ball, “mud” ball or “emery” ball.

    In relation to these illegal actions related to defacing the ball, under Official Baseball Rules 8.02 (b) and (d), under certain circumstances if a play follows a violation called by the umpire, the manager of the team at bat has an option whether to accept the play. In those instances, if the manager does not elect to accept the play, the penalty is an automatic ball and, if there are any runners on base, a balk. In case of a play where the manager does accept the play, or where the manager does not have an option of accepting the play, there is no balk.

    Note that some subtle balks which are called in high levels of play may be ignored at lower levels of play; conversely, some pitchers have poor habits or mechanics which are tolerated at higher levels, but would be called as a balk in lower levels that focus on developing good fundamentals.

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