In baseball, a balk is an illegal move by a pitcher that results in a penalty. Knowing if a baseball is a balk can be confusing at times, but understanding the rules and how to spot the tell-tale signs of a balk can help you make the right call. This article will provide an overview of the rules regarding balks and how to recognize them when they occur.
What Is A Balk?
A balk is an illegal move by a pitcher that results in a penalty. According to the MLB rulebook, a balk is defined as “an illegal act by the pitcher while in contact with the pitching plate which causes the ball to become live.” This means that a balk can occur anytime a pitcher does something that is considered to be illegal while in contact with the pitching plate, such as throwing a pitch or attempting to pickoff a runner.
The Types of Balks
There are a variety of different types of balks, and each one has a specific set of rules and regulations associated with it. The most common types of balks are the following:
• Intentional Walk: An intentional walk is when a pitcher intentionally throws four straight balls outside of the strike zone, resulting in a walk for the batter.
• Fake Throw: A fake throw is when a pitcher feints or acts as if he is going to throw the ball but then does not. This can be a deceptive way to try to pickoff a runner.
• Step-Off: A step-off is when a pitcher takes a step off of the pitching plate without throwing the ball.
• Pivot Foot Violation: A pivot foot violation occurs when a pitcher makes a move to the plate but does not set his pivot foot.
• Other: There are other types of balks that are not as common, such as an illegal quick pitch, an illegal pitchout, or a violation of the eight-second rule.
How to Spot A Balk
Now that you know the types of balks, it’s time to learn how to spot a balk. When watching a game, look for the following signs of a balk:
• The pitcher makes a move to the plate but doesn’t throw the ball.
• The pitcher makes a fake throw.
• The pitcher steps off the pitching plate without throwing the ball.
• The pitcher does not set his pivot foot before delivering the pitch.
• The pitcher throws four straight balls outside the strike zone.
• The pitcher violates the eight-second rule.
What Happens When A Balk Is Called?
When a balk is called, the umpire will signal a dead ball, and the runners will be awarded one base. If the runner is on first base, then he will be awarded second base. If the runner is on second base, then he will be awarded third base. If the runner is on third base, then he will be awarded home plate. It is important to note that the batter will not be awarded a base in the event of a balk.
Conclusion
Knowing if a baseball is a balk can be tricky, but understanding the rules and how to recognize the signs of a balk can help you make the right call. Be sure to look out for the signs of a balk such as an illegal move to the plate, a fake throw, a step-off, a pivot foot violation, or four straight balls outside the strike zone. When a balk is called, the umpire will signal a dead ball and the runners will be awarded one base. Understanding the rules and the signs of a balk can help you make the right call and ensure the game is played fairly.