What is a Balk in Baseball?
A balk is an illegal act made by the pitcher in baseball. It occurs when the pitcher fails to deliver a pitch to the batter in the prescribed manner. When a balk is called, the umpire will signal it by extending both arms straight out to his sides in the direction of the batter. The balk results in the baserunner(s) being able to advance one base without the risk of being thrown out.
When is a Balk Called?
A balk can be called by an umpire when the pitcher does any of the following:
- Starts his delivery and then stops – The pitcher must commit to delivering the pitch and can’t stop in the middle of the delivery.
- Fakes a throw to a base – The pitcher can’t pretend to throw to a base if there are runners on base.
- Uses an illegal motion – The pitcher must use a legal motion to deliver the pitch. An illegal motion includes not facing the batter during the delivery, stepping off the pitcher’s plate, or not coming to a full stop before the delivery.
- Throws to an unoccupied base – The pitcher cannot throw to a base if there are no runners on base.
- Throws to a base without the ball – The pitcher must have the ball in his possession before he can throw to a base.
- Delivers a pitch without coming to a stop – The pitcher must come to a complete stop before delivering the pitch.
What Happens When a Balk is Called?
When a balk is called, the umpire will signal it by extending both arms straight out to his sides in the direction of the batter. This signals to the batter and to all of the baserunners that a balk has been called. The result of the balk is that all of the baserunners are allowed to advance one base without the risk of being thrown out.
What is the Penalty for a Balk?
The penalty for a balk is that the baserunner(s) are allowed to advance one base without the risk of being thrown out. The pitcher can also be ejected from the game for repeated balks or if the umpire believes the balk was intentional.
What are Some Common Types of Balks?
There are several common types of balks that can be called. These include:
- Fake Pitches – When a pitcher pretends to throw a pitch but does not actually release the ball.
- Quick Pitch – When the pitcher delivers the pitch without coming to a complete stop.
- Multiple Pitches – When the pitcher changes his grip on the ball during the delivery.
- Step Off – When the pitcher steps off the pitcher’s plate before delivering the pitch.
What Does the Umpire Look for When Making a Balk Call?
The umpire will look for several things when making a balk call. These include:
- The pitcher’s actions – The umpire will look to see if the pitcher failed to deliver the pitch in the prescribed manner. The umpire will also look to see if the pitcher is using an illegal motion or has stepped off the pitcher’s plate.
- The pitcher’s intent – The umpire will look to see if the pitcher is intentionally trying to deceive the batter or baserunner.
- The position of the baserunners – The umpire will look to see if there are any runners on base and if so, how far away they are from the bases.
Tips for Avoiding Balks
There are a few tips that pitchers can use to help avoid balks. These include:
- Be aware of the runners – The pitcher should always be aware of the position of the baserunners and the number of outs. This will help him to avoid throwing to an unoccupied base or throwing to a base without the ball.
- Maintain a consistent delivery – The pitcher should strive to maintain a consistent delivery and not change his grip on the ball during the delivery.
- Be mindful of time – The pitcher should be aware of the time and should not rush his delivery. This will help him to avoid a quick pitch or a step off.
What is the Difference Between a Balk and an Illegal Pitch?
An illegal pitch occurs when the pitcher does not throw the pitch in the prescribed manner, such as not throwing the pitch from the proper location or not throwing the pitch with the proper grip. A balk occurs when the pitcher does not deliver the pitch in the prescribed manner, such as not facing the batter during the delivery, stepping off the pitcher’s plate, or not coming to a full stop before the delivery.
What is the Difference Between a Balk and a Dead Ball?
A balk is an illegal act made by the pitcher, while a dead ball is declared when a pitch is thrown out of play. A balk results in the baserunner(s) being able to advance one base without the risk of being thrown out, while a dead ball results in all baserunners being allowed to advance one base without the risk of being thrown out.
Conclusion
A balk is an illegal act made by the pitcher in baseball. It occurs when the pitcher fails to deliver a pitch to the batter in the prescribed manner. Balks can be called for a variety of reasons, such as starting the delivery and then stopping, faking a throw to a base, using an illegal motion, throwing to an unoccupied base, throwing to a base without the ball, and delivering a pitch without coming to a stop. The penalty for a balk is that the baserunner(s) are allowed to advance one base without the risk of being thrown out. Pitchers can avoid balks by being aware of the runners, maintaining a consistent delivery, and being mindful of the time. It is important to note the difference between a balk and an illegal pitch, as well as the difference between a balk and a dead ball.