A balk is a penalty in baseball that is called when a pitcher illegally starts his pitching motion without actually delivering the ball to home plate. This is a rule designed to prevent pitchers from deceiving the hitter and to protect the integrity of the game. The balk call can be made by the umpire at any time during the pitching motion, and it results in an immediate dead ball, awarding the runner on base one base.
History of the Balk
The balk rule has been around since the rules of the game were first established in the mid-1800s. The rule was originally created to prevent pitchers from using an illegal wind-up or a fake delivery to deceive the batter. Over the years, the specifics of the rule have been changed, but it still serves the same purpose: to protect the integrity of the game and to prevent pitchers from using underhanded tactics to gain an advantage.
Rules of a Balk
There are several different rules that govern when a balk call can be made. Below are some of the most common rules for a balk:
1. The pitcher must come to a complete stop before delivering the ball.
The pitcher must come to a complete stop before starting his pitching motion. This means that the pitcher must pause and remain motionless for at least one second before delivering the ball. If the pitcher moves or begins his motion before coming to a complete stop, the umpire will call a balk.
2. The pitcher must stay within the pitching rubber.
The pitcher must stay within the pitching rubber while delivering the ball. This means that the pitcher’s feet must stay on the rubber and his body must remain behind the rubber. If the pitcher steps off the rubber or moves in front of it, the umpire will call a balk.
3. The pitcher must throw the ball to home plate.
The pitcher must throw the ball to home plate in order for it to be considered a legal pitch. If the pitcher throws the ball to a different location, the umpire will call a balk.
4. The pitcher cannot fake a throw to first base.
The pitcher cannot fake a throw to first base in order to deceive the runner. This is a common tactic used by pitchers to try and pick off a runner, but it is illegal and will result in a balk call.
5. The pitcher cannot make an illegal motion.
The pitcher cannot make an illegal motion while delivering the ball. This includes stepping off the rubber, throwing to the wrong base, or making any other motion that is not part of the legal pitching motion. If the umpire sees an illegal motion, he will call a balk.
Consequences of a Balk
When a balk is called, the runner on base is awarded one base. This means that if the runner is on first, he is awarded second base. If the runner is on second, he is awarded third base. If the runner is on third, he is awarded home plate.
In addition to the runner being awarded one base, the balk also counts as a ball. This means that if the pitcher has already thrown three balls, the balk will be counted as the fourth ball, and the batter will be awarded first base.
Conclusion
A balk is a penalty in baseball that is called when a pitcher illegally starts his pitching motion without actually delivering the ball to home plate. The rule was designed to prevent pitchers from deceiving the hitter and to protect the integrity of the game. When a balk is called, the runner on base is awarded one base and the pitch is counted as a ball. There are several rules that must be followed in order to avoid a balk call, and it is important for pitchers to understand these rules in order to avoid being penalized.