According to Major League Baseball's official rules, specifically rule 8.05: "Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire's' mind, the “intent" of the pitcher should govern." Balk rules long have been a source of confusion and contention among coaches, players and even umpires, but despite their seemingly arbitrary application, there is a distinct set of rules that control a pitcher's actions and movements on the mound. Balks result in a one-base advance for each base runner, and while there are numerous ways you can commit a balk, the three most common are: making a quick pitch, faking a pitch to the batter and faking a throw to first base.
Making a Quick Pitch
To avoid being called for a balk, a pitcher must come to a complete stop in the "set" position before delivering a pitch to the batter. According to rule 8.01(b) of Major League Baseball's official rules, "Pitchers are constantly attempting to “beat the rule" in their efforts to hold runners on bases and in cases where the pitcher fails to make a complete “stop" called for in the rules, the umpire should immediately call a “balk."" Failing to come to a complete stop in the set position and rushing to deliver the ball to the batter is perhaps the most common balk called at any level, suggests Steven Ellis, a former Chicago Cubs minor league pitcher.
Faking a Pitch to the Batter
Another cardinal offense a pitcher can commit that will result in a balk being called involves faking a pitch to the batter. According to Steven Ellis, pitchers are forbidden to make any movement, such as faking a pitch, to deceive the runner or batter. The website WiseGeek.com agrees, stating that an umpire will call a balk if the "pitcher begins to make the motions typically associated with his pitching stroke but ceases during its delivery." This balk rule is invoked only if there is a runner on base, however. With at least one runner on base, once you commit to delivering the ball to the plate, you must complete your delivery. Major League Baseball rules state that if the ball should happen to slip from your hands during your delivery and cross one of the foul lines, this would be considered a balk, but, again, only if there were men on base.
Faking a Throw to First Base
If you fake a throw to first base with a runner on, this will result in a balk being called against you. Major League Baseball rules state that it's acceptable to fake a throw to second base or third base, provided you first step in the direction of the base: "A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base, but does not require him to throw--except to first base only--because he steps." The official rules also suggest that a throw to first base by the pitcher while in contact with the rubber can be faked if the pitcher steps off the rubber and then makes such a move. Such a maneuver will not result in a balk being called.
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