Could someone please explain....?

Question

What EXACTLY is a balk? It seems nobody can explain to me what it is exactly. I am confused as to what qualifies a balk and what doesn't.

Answer 1

Geez, don't waste your time reading all those other bogus answers! A balk is defined as "any DECEPTIVE movement by a pitcher towards a batter/runner." That's it. Anyway you slice it. There are a million different ways a pitcher can balk. USUALLY..... it's a false movement from a set position (the pitcher flinches). Other than that, it could be just about anything screwy a pitcher does. The penalties are as followed.

1 base advance for all runners aboard

If no runners aboard, 1 ball added to count.

When a balk is called, IT IS STILL A LIVE BALL! The batter may swing and the runners may advance. When all play is over. TIME is called and options are awarded to the offended team.

note: The team can advance one base free. After that, they advance at their own risk.

Answer 2

    *  When you are in the set position, take the sign from your catcher with your foot on the rubber and your hands visibly separated.

    * After you have your sign, bring your hands together and pause one full second before going into your delivery.

    * If you swing your striding foot past the rear portion of the pitching rubber, you must deliver a pitch.

    * Move only your head while in the set position. If you shrug your shoulders or move your legs or hands, the umpire can nail you for a balk.

    * If you make any motion toward a base, throw to it. You must complete any movement you start without interruption until you are in the set position.

    * Always step directly toward the bag you are throwing to. You may step and fake a throw to second or third, but you cannot fake a throw to first without first stepping off the rubber.

    * If you want to move out of the set position without incurring a balk, step off the rubber.

    * Never make a pitching motion unless you have the ball.

    * Don't drop the ball during your delivery.

Answer 3

Well...  a balk can only be performed by a pitcher when the ball is "in-play" and he is on the rubber.  Lets start with the consequences.  When a balk happens all base runners are given one free base, ie first to second or third to home.  If nobody is on base, a ball is granted to the batter, thus if he hasn't received a pitch his count is 1 ball 0 strikes and if he had 3 balls he is given a base on balls.  

The purpose of a balk is so that pitchers can't make unfair movements to s***w with the baserunner or batter.  

Thus, when the with a runner on base and the pitcher on the rubber, it is a balk when the pitcher:

    * switches his pitching stance from the windup position to the set position (or vice versa) without properly stepping off 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 that base;

    * throws from the rubber to a base where there is no runner and no possibility of a play;

    * steps 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 throwing to a base from the rubber, fails to disengage from the rubber before getting the ball back

    * 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:

    * 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.

As you can see, ther are many ways to balk, many of which go by unseen and never called in lower tiered leagues.  The purpose of the balk is to keep the pitcher from gaining an unfair advantage.

Answer 4

when the pitcher steps off the rubber i front of the rubber.  its ok if you step of to the side or back but not to the front.  if you step off to the front, you are expected to deliver the ball to home.

Answer 5

Below is a link for the long answer.

But to sum it up if any runners are on base and the pitcher motions towards home but dont throw the ball, then all baserunners get to advance to the next base.

Answer 6

A balk is any move done by a pitcher that would fake a baserunner into thinking that the pitcher is going to throw the pitch but instead tries to pick off the runner. it can fool a runner into trying to steal or getting picked off. It can be done with a number of different moves, all of which are precieved differently by umpires. if the pitcher moves is leg, steps towords the plate and then throws to first, or stops his motion to the plate after he started, it could all be called a balk and each runner gets one base

Answer 7

Keep it short, When a pitcher starts his windup and stops during it without stepping off with his right foot.