The balk in baseball is called when the pitcher deceptively throws to a base in an attempt to pick off a baserunner or interrupts his motion as he throws his pitch. When a pitcher is on the mound in baseball, he is required to pitch to the batter or throw to a base in a straight-forward and continuous manner. If he does either of those things in a hesitant or deceptive manner, he can be called for a balk.
Complete Stop
A balk can only occur when there are runners on base. The pitcher must come to a complete stop prior to delivering the ball. When pitching from the stretch, or set, position, a pitcher must come set in his motion. This is typically done with the ball and his pitching hand in the glove. If the pitcher throws home without coming set, the umpire will call a balk. That will allow the runner on base to move up one base. If there is more than one runner on base, all of the runners get to move up one base.
Deceptive Motion
The most frequent balk call is one based on deceptive motion. When a left-handed pitcher is on the mound, he cannot step toward first and then throw a pitch home. The umpire draws a 45-degree line between home and first and if the pitcher steps more toward first and throws home or more toward home and throws to first, a balk is called and the runner moves up a base.
Stopping the Pitching Motion
Once a pitcher starts his windup, he is committed to either throwing a pitch or attempting a pick-off throw to one of the bases. However, if the pitcher stops the motion of even makes any hesitating motion, the umpire will call the pitcher for a balk. Anything considered "unnatural" by the umpire will result in a balk call. For example, if the pitcher brings his arm up as he prepares to deliver a pitch and then makes a circular motion with his glove, this is considered unnatural and a balk will be called. If the pitcher starts his pitching motion and loses balance and stops his motion, this is considered a balk.
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