View source for Balk

{{Short description|Illegal pitcher's move in baseball}}
{{About|the illegal action in baseball}}
[[File:Bob Shaw 1964.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Bob Shaw (baseball)|Bob Shaw]] holds the major league record for most balks in a single game, five, in 1963.]]
In [[baseball]], a '''balk''' is a set of illegal motions or actions that a pitcher may make. Most of these violations involve pitchers pretending to pitch when they have no intention of doing so. In games played under the [[Baseball_rules#Rules|Official Baseball Rules]] that govern professional play in the United States and Canada, a balk results in a [[Dead ball (baseball)#Baseball|dead ball]] or delayed dead ball. In certain other circumstances, a balk may be wholly or partially disregarded. In the United States, under the [[National Federation of State High School Associations]] (NFHS Baseball Rules), a balk results in an immediate dead ball. In the event a balk is enforced, the pitch is generally (but not always) nullified, each runner is awarded one base, and the batter (generally) remains at bat with the previous count. The balk rule in [[Major League Baseball]] was introduced in 1898.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is A Balk In Baseball? |url=https://baseballbiography.com/what-is-a-balk-in-baseball/ |website=Baseball Biography}}</ref>

According to the Official Baseball Rules: "Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf#page=88 |url-access= |title=Official Baseball Rules, Rule 6.02(a) Comment |year=2019 |publisher=[[Major League Baseball]] |page=76 |access-date= |quote=Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. |archive-date=2021-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116031011/https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf#page=88 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Balk actions==
A pitcher is restricted to a certain set of motions and one of two basic [[pitching position]]s before and during a pitch. If these regulations are violated with one or more runners on base, an umpire may call a balk. The batter at [[home plate]] does not advance on a balk.
[[File:Mike Hauschild (44117497882).jpg|thumb|right|[[Mike Hauschild]] (right) talks to an umpire after having been called for a balk]]
With a runner on base and the pitcher on or astride (with one leg on each side of) the [[Pitcher's mound|rubber]], under Official Baseball Rules, it is a balk when the pitcher:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp |title=The Official Site of Major League Baseball: Official info: Official Rules<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-04-02 |archive-date=2021-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506194555/https://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Switches pitching position from the windup to the set (or vice versa) without properly disengaging the rubber
* While on the rubber, makes a motion associated with a pitch and does not complete the delivery
* When pitching from the set position, fails to make a complete stop with his hands together before beginning to pitch
* Throws from the mound to a base without stepping toward (gaining distance in the direction of that base)
* Throws or feints a throw from the rubber to an unoccupied base, unless a play is imminent
* Steps or feints from the rubber to first or third base without completing the throw
* Delivers a [[quick pitch|quick return]], a pitch thrown right after receiving the ball back, with intent to catch the batter off-guard
* Drops the ball while on the rubber, even if by accident, if the ball does not subsequently cross a foul line
* Unnecessarily delays the game 
* Pitches while facing away from the batter
* After bringing his hands together on the rubber, 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
* Attempts to throw to a fielder in a spot not directly at a base
* Delivers a pitch during a [[squeeze play (baseball)|squeeze play]] or a steal of home, if the catcher or some other player steps on or in front of home plate without possession of the ball, or touches the batter (or the bat). The ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base, the pitcher is charged with a balk, and the run scores
With the addition of new pace-of-play rules introduced for the [[2023 Major League Baseball season|2023 season]], a pitcher is charged with a balk if he attempts a pickoff more than twice in a single at-bat without recording an out, and without the runner advancing.

Under NFHS Rules, a balk occurs when<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rule 6 |url=https://umpirebible.com/fed/6.0.htm |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=umpirebible.com |archive-date=2022-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009172038/https://umpirebible.com/fed/6.0.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

* There is any feinting toward the batter or first base, or any dropping of the ball (even though accidental) and the ball does not cross a foul line.
* The pitcher fails to step with the non-pivot foot directly toward a base (occupied or unoccupied) when throwing or feinting there in an attempt to put out, or drive back a runner; or throwing or feinting to any unoccupied base when it is not an attempt to put out or drive back a runner.
* An illegal pitch from any position.
* Failing to pitch to the batter in a continuous motion immediately after any movement of any part of the body such as he habitually uses in his delivery
* Taking a hand off the ball while in a set position (unless he pitches to the batter or throws toward a base or he steps toward and feints a throw to second or third base)
* Failing to pitch to the batter when the entire non-pivot foot passes behind the perpendicular plane of the back edge of the pitcher’s plate, except when feinting or throwing to second base in an attempt to put out a runner
* The pitcher makes a movement naturally associated with pitching and/or places his feet on the pitcher's plate without the ball.  

The pitcher's acts of [[Spitball|spitting]] on the ball, defacing or altering the ball, rubbing the ball on the clothing or body, or applying a foreign substance to the ball are not balks; however, it will result in the pitcher's [[Ejection (sports)|ejection]] from the game if caught.

==Clarifications==
A pitcher was allowed to feint toward third (or second) base, and then turn and throw or feint to first base if the pitcher's pivot foot disengaged the rubber after the initial feint. This is called the "fake to third, throw to first" play. However, [[Major League Baseball]] classified this as a balk beginning with the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=MLB aiming to nix fake-to-third, throw-to-first pick-off move in 2013 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=May 10, 2012 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/mlb-aiming-to-nix-fake-to-third-throw-to-first-pick-off-move-in-2013/2012/05/10/gIQAFjw8FU_blog.html |last1=Brooks |first1=Matt |access-date=May 15, 2012 |archive-date=August 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823194545/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/post/mlb-aiming-to-nix-fake-to-third-throw-to-first-pick-off-move-in-2013/2012/05/10/gIQAFjw8FU_blog.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

If no runners are on base and the pitcher commits an otherwise balkable action, there generally is no penalty. However, delivering a quick return or pitching while off the rubber (which constitute balks when runners are on base) results in a ball being called with the bases empty. If the pitcher commits an act confusing to the batter with nobody on, stops their delivery, or otherwise violates, play is restarted without penalty and time is called. If a pitcher repeatedly commits illegal actions without runners on base, they may be subject to ejection for persistently violating the rules.

If, during an attempt to execute the "[[hidden ball trick]]" (where the defensive team deceives the runner(s) as to the ball's location while the play is live), the pitcher stands on the rubber prior to the fielder revealing the ball and applying the tag, the runner is not out. Instead, it is a balk, with all runners on base being awarded their next base.

==Common misconceptions==
"Catcher's balk" is not a term in the official rules, but is sometimes used to describe an atypical situation relating to an [[intentional walk]]: if the catcher is not completely within the catcher's box when the pitcher releases the ball during delivery, it is a violation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/feature.jsp?feature=mcclellandqa |title=Umpires: Feature {{!}} MLB.com: Official info<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2010-05-10 |archive-date=2016-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204201609/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/umpires/feature.jsp?feature=mcclellandqa |url-status=live }}</ref> The balk is still charged to the pitcher, because such a pitch is defined as a "Pitcher Illegal Action."<ref name="2019 MLBRules">{{cite web |url=https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf#page=86 |url-access= |title=Official Baseball Rules, 6.02 Pitcher Illegal Action |year=2019 |publisher=[[Major League Baseball]] |page=74 |access-date= |quote= |archive-date=2021-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116031011/https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf#page=86 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A pitcher is not required to step off the rubber before throwing to an occupied base in a [[Baseball#Pitching and fielding|pick-off]] attempt. With his pivot foot in contact with the rubber in either the windup position or the "set" position, the pitcher may either: 1) deliver the ball to the batter: 2) throw to a base for a pickoff; or 3) step off the rubber.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf#page=88 |url-access= |title=Official Baseball Rules, Rule 6.02(a) Comment |year=2019 |publisher=[[Major League Baseball]] |page=76 |access-date= |quote= |archive-date=2021-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116031011/https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf#page=88 |url-status=live }}</ref>

MLB rules state that: "Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher’s plate" (the rubber), but the rules do not describe the infraction as a balk.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf#page=45 |url-access= |title=Official Baseball Rules, Legal Pitching Delivery |year=2019 |publisher=[[Major League Baseball]] |page=33 |access-date= |quote= |archive-date=2021-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116031011/https://content.mlb.com/documents/2/2/4/305750224/2019_Official_Baseball_Rules_FINAL_.pdf#page=45 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Major League Baseball balk records==
[[Steve Carlton]] had 90 balks during his major league career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Matt |date=May 27, 2019 |title=What is a balk? |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/what-is-a-balk-in-baseball-a-definitive-guide |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> The single season major league record is held by [[Dave Stewart (baseball)|Dave Stewart]], who had 16 balks in 1988 while pitching for the [[Oakland Athletics]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hickey |first=John |date=2020-04-13 |title=Remember 1988's Year of the Balk? The A's Certainly Do |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/news/remember-1988s-year-of-the-balk-the-as-certainly-do |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=On SI}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

The major league record for the most balks in one game is held by [[Bob Shaw (baseball)|Bob Shaw]], who had five balks on May 4, 1963, pitching for the [[Milwaukee Braves]] against the [[Chicago Cubs]]. Four of the five balks came when [[Billy Williams (left fielder)|Billy Williams]] was on base: one in the first inning, then three more in the third inning. In the latter frame, Shaw walked Williams and then proceeded to balk him to second, third, and home.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN196305040.shtml |title=May 4, 1963 Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Braves Box Score and Play by Play - Baseball-Reference.com<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 26, 2018 |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009172105/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN196305040.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Shaw's balks were blamed on his difficulty adjusting to a then-new point of emphasis in the rules: [[National League (baseball)|National League]] umpires were told to strictly enforce the section of the balk rule that required the pitcher, when going from the stretch to the set position, to come to a complete stop with his hands together for one full second before pitching. The rule had been virtually ignored before.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Belleville |first=Gary |title=May 4, 1963: Braves’ Bob Shaw sets NL/AL record with 5 balks |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/may-4-1963-braves-bob-shaw-sets-nl-al-record-with-5-balks/ |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[Society for American Baseball Research]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1963-05-07 |title=Bragan reveals he is fining Brave pitchers $100 per balk |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-bragan-reveals-he-is-fining/178144630/ |access-date=2025-08-04 |work=The Scranton Tribune |pages=12 |agency=[[UPI]]}}</ref><ref name="walfoort4748">{{cite news |last=Walfoort |first=Cleon |date=May 4, 1963 |title=Shaw Is Balkiest Pitcher of Them All |newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal]]}}</ref> Seven pitchers committed four balks in an MLB game.<ref name=":0" />

Knuckleballer [[Charlie Hough]] was once called for nine balks in one major league exhibition game, occurring in March 1988. He was called for seven balks in a single inning of the game, as umpires set out to "enforce a full set position" for the coming season.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 8, 1988 |title=Hough Called for 9 Balks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/08/sports/hough-called-for-9-balks.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713235933/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/08/sports/hough-called-for-9-balks.html |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |access-date=July 13, 2018 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

On September 27, 2022, [[Miami Marlins]] reliever [[Richard Bleier]] was called for three balks in a row by first-base umpire [[John Tumpane]], all while facing [[New York Mets]] batter [[Pete Alonso]]. Bleier had given up a single and was then called for three balks while facing Alonso, balking the runner home. Marlins manager [[Don Mattingly]] was ejected for arguing the third balk. After Alonso grounded out for the third out of the inning, Bleier was also ejected for continuing to argue the balks. Until that point, Bleier had never had a balk called against him in his seven-year major league career, over the course of 303 games.<ref>Ladson, Bill [https://www.mlb.com/news/marlins-richard-bleier-called-for-three-balks?partnerId=zh-20220928-713930-mlb-2-A&qid=1026&bt_ee=aHSaFg4YOZZvtvjGJMY19mNjP3SoNxJFIDddMCMQDO9Toj2JWea6HVNf5BczW0ZS&bt_ts=1664373888563 "Not 1, not 2...Marlins' Bleier called for 3 balks in same AB," MLB.com, Wednesday, September 28, 2022.] Retrieved September 28, 2022.</ref> This instance tied the record for most balks in an inning and for most balks in a single at bat.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=MLB Balk Records |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_balk1.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009172041/https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_balk1.shtml |archive-date=2022-10-09 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref> Sports writer Mike Axisa wrote that: "Some balks are obvious. Those are not... You almost have to be looking for a reason to call a balk to ring Bleier up on that motion three{{snd}}again, three!{{snd}}times in a single inning."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Axisa |first=Mike |date=28 September 2022 |title=Marlins' Richard Bleier becomes first pitcher called for three balks in one inning since 1988 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/marlins-richard-bleier-becomes-first-pitcher-called-for-three-balks-in-one-inning-since-1988/ |website=CBS Sports}}</ref>

==Notable balks==

During the [[1947 World Series]], New York Yankees pitcher [[Spec Shea]] dropped the ball trying to pick off [[Jackie Robinson]] of the Brooklyn Dodgers at first base. After at least one other attempt, Shea dropped the ball and umpire [[Babe Pinelli]] waved Robinson to second base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1947ws.shtml|title=1947 World Series by Baseball Almanac|access-date=2020-06-24|archive-date=2020-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907232550/https://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1947ws.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

A famous balk came in the [[1961 Major League Baseball All-Star Game (first game)|first All-Star Game of 1961]], when strong winds at [[Candlestick Park]] caused pitcher [[Stu Miller]] to sway erratically and be called for a balk. This story is often exaggerated in re-tellings of baseball lore, some having Miller being blown off the pitching mound.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Marty |date=July 11, 2015 |title=Balk defined 1961 All-Star Game, Stu Miller's career |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/stu-miller-1961-all-star-game-defined-by-balk-c136097692 |access-date=April 9, 2024 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] defeated the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] on June 18, 2015, when Rangers relief pitcher [[Keone Kela]] committed a balk in the bottom of the ninth inning of a tie game with [[Enrique Hernández (baseball)|Enrique Hernández]] at third base.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 18, 2015 |title=Must C: Dodgers walk off on balk |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/must-c-dodgers-walk-off-on-balk-c178245983 |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> There have been at least 25 such [[Walk-off_home_run#Other_types_of_"walk-off"_wins|walk-off]] balks (or "balk-offs") in major league history since 1914.<ref>{{citation |last=Gilfix |first=Adam |title=Talking Balk: All Walk-Off Balks in MLB History |date=June 19, 2015 |website=Harvard Sports Analysis Collective |url=https://harvardsportsanalysis.org/2015/06/talking-balk-all-walk-off-balks-in-mlb-history/ |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616181722/http://harvardsportsanalysis.org/2015/06/talking-balk-all-walk-off-balks-in-mlb-history/ |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> 

The [[Kansas City Royals]] won two games in the [[2023 Kansas City Royals season|2023 season]] via a balk-off. The first was on August 1 vs. the [[2023 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] in the bottom of the 10th inning when [[relief pitcher]] [[Josh Walker (baseball)|Josh Walker]] balked before throwing a single pitch, scoring [[MJ Melendez]] and resulting in a 7–6 victory for the Royals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royals 7-6 Mets (Aug 1, 2023) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401472627 |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> The Royals' second balk-off victory came 36 days later in a game against the [[2023 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] on September 5 when [[Gregory Santos]] balked with two outs in the ninth inning and the bases loaded to score [[Maikel García]]; coincidentally, this game also ended with a score of 7–6.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royals 7-6 White Sox (Sep 5, 2023) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401473085/white-sox-royals |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> According to [[Elias Sports Bureau]], the 2023 Royals are the only team in the [[live-ball era]] to have multiple balk-off wins in a single season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Anne |date=September 6, 2023 |title=Royals make history with 2nd walk-off balk of '23 |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-walk-off-white-sox-on-a-balk |access-date=April 6, 2023 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

On June 14, 2019, Dodgers [[Closer (baseball)|closer]] [[Kenley Jansen]] intentionally balked during a game with the [[Chicago Cubs]]. With the Dodgers leading, 5–3, and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, the Cubs' [[Jason Heyward]] was on second base. Concerned that a runner at second base could possibly [[sign stealing|steal signs]], Jansen intentionally balked, advancing the runner to third base.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2019/B06140LAN2019.htm |title=Los Angeles Dodgers 5, Chicago Cubs 3 |website=[[Retrosheet]] |date=June 14, 2019 |accessdate=September 7, 2021 |archive-date=September 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907045827/https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2019/B06140LAN2019.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Jansen then struck out batter [[Víctor Caratini]] for the final out of the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kenley-jansen-executes-intentional-balk |title=Ever seen an intentional balk? You have now |first=Ken |last=Gurnick |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=June 15, 2019 |access-date=June 15, 2019 |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113031232/https://www.mlb.com/news/kenley-jansen-executes-intentional-balk |url-status=live }}</ref> Jansen repeated this ploy while pitching for the [[Los Angeles Angels]] against the Dodgers on May 17, 2025, intentionally balking [[Shohei Ohtani]] from second base to third base, and then retiring [[Mookie Betts]] for the last out of game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kenley-jansen-intentional-balk-shohei-ohtani |title=Jansen to Ohtani: 'I'm balking you to third' |first=Brent |last=Maguire |website=[[MLB.com]] |date=May 18, 2025 }}</ref> Other intentional balks, while rare, have subsequently occurred in MLB.
{{more|Intentional balk}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Baseball}}
{{wiktionary|balk}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w92D8PseSAk What {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|constitutes}} a balk?] on [[MLB Network]] via [[YouTube]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntV_aueeg2c Balk demonstrations by Dan Blewett]
* [https://selectbaseballteams.com/blog/what-is-a-balk-in-baseball/ What is a Balk] by [[Jack Perconte]]

{{Baseball|state=expanded}}
{{Baseball pitches}}

[[Category:Baseball rules]]
[[Category:Pitching (baseball)]]
[[Category:Pitching statistics]]