In baseball, a balk is an illegal move by the pitcher when runners are on base. The balk rule is complicated, and often misunderstood by fans, but umpires are well-trained on the rule. According to Major League Baseball, umpires are instructed to consider that the balk rule is designed to prevent pitchers for intentionally deceiving base runners. Furthermore, the rule book states that if there is doubt about whether a pitcher has committed a balk, the intent of the pitcher should guide the ruling.
Natural Motion
A pitcher commits a balk if he makes any part of his natural pitching motion, then fails to pitch the ball while his foot is on the pitching rubber, according to MLB rules. For example, a pitcher will be called for a balk if he swings his free foot past the back of the rubber and fails to deliver the ball, unless he is throwing to second base in an attempt to pick off the runner.
First Base Pickoff
Another example of a pitcher balking is when he has his foot on the pitching rubber and fakes a pickoff throw to first base but then does not make the throw, according to Major League Baseball rules.
Step Toward Base
A pitcher commits a balk when he throws to a base in an attempt to pick off a runner without first stepping directly toward the base, MLB rules state. If the pitcher turns his body with his free foot, without stepping toward the base, or turns and throws before taking a step toward the base, it is ruled a balk. However, a pitcher who takes a step directly toward the base does not have to make the pickoff throw.
Throw to Empty Base
When a pitcher throws or fakes a throw to a base not occupied by a base runner, he has committed a balk, according to MLB rules. A pitcher may only throw to an empty base in an attempt to record an out.
Illegal Pitches
An illegal pitch, such as when a pitcher pitches the ball before a batter is set in the batter's box, is a balk, but only when runners are on base. Other examples of illegal pitches include pitching when the batter is not facing the pitcher, when the pitcher removes one hand from the ball while in the legal pitching position, when the pitcher drops the ball, when the pitcher pitches while the catcher is not in the catcher's box during an intentional walk, and when the pitcher delivers the ball from the set position without first coming to a complete stop.
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