(http://www.baseball-rules.com/umphelp.htm#P1e) No, going to the mouth does not necessarily constitute a balk. The definition of a balk is: The pitcher does not have to step off the rubber to throw to a base. (You don't want to throw to a base after stepping off. If the throw goes out of play it is a 2 base award. If the throw goes out of play when throw is from the rubber it is a 1 base award.) The pitcher may throw from the rubber to a base from the windup position. (It must be done before any movement that is part of the normal motion that is part of his windup.) The pitcher may fake a throw to second or third base from the rubber, but not to first base. This may be done from the windup or the set position. (You do not have to step off the rubber to fake to 2nd or 3rd. Only if you fake to 1st.) A jump turn is legal and considered being in contact with the rubber. The pitcher may place his hands in a different set location before each pitch. He must come to a set before pitching to the batter, but not before throwing to a base. He may not set twice before the pitch. A stretch move prior to the set is optional. He must disengage the rubber with his pivot foot first. He must step in the direction of the throw and prior to the release of the throw. Once he is on the rubber he may do one of three things: Throw to a base Deliver a pitch Disengage the rubber (pivot foot first)

Rule 6-2-1 Penalty Clarification To clarify from last year’s change of when a pitcher goes to his mouth: It is legal for a pitcher to go to his mouth (anywhere off the pitcher’s plate) and distinctly wipe it off prior to legally engage the pitcher’s plate. Rule 6-2-1 Penalty Clarification (cont.) A pitcher who goes to his mouth and then touches the ball without distinctly wiping it off may request a new ball to be legal, provided he has not yet engaged the pitcher’s plate. (Pitcher’s Remorse) Pitcher who goes to his mouth, touches the ball without wiping it off and then engages the pitcher’s plate - Illegal pitch, a ball added to the count (with runners on base or bases empty). Rule 6-2-1 Penalty Clarification Pitcher who has engaged the pitcher’s plate and then goes to his mouth with no runners on has committed an illegal pitch – a ball is added to the batter’s count. Pitcher who has engaged the pitcher’s plate and then goes to his mouth when runners are on base has committed a balk.

Under OBR (Little League and several other youth programs use OBR rules with some modifications and amendments), going to the mouth is never a balk unless the pitcher has joined his hands on the pitcher's plate and then goes to his mouth. But that balk is for separating the hands, not for going to the mouth. Here's the OBR rule: 8.02 The pitcher shall not (a)(1) Bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitching rubber. PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball. Under NCAA rules, a pitcher may go to his mouth while on the mound but not when in contact with the pitcher's plate. Again, the penalty is a ball, not a balk. Rule 9-2-d A.R. 2. It's a balk only under high school rules and only if the pitcher is in contact with the pitcher's plate as Coachie states in his reply.