Rule 8

The Balk Rule

Here is a basic overview of the Balk rule (remember that a balk is called when there is a runner / runners on base):

If the pitcher starts a windup, he mu= st finish it and throw the ball to the catcher.

If the pitcher steps off from the win= dup set, he has to step off with his "off foot" (right foot for righties and left for lefties).

If the pitcher is left handed throwin= g to first or right handed throwing to third (from the stretch) the angle of his approach foot must be less than 45 degrees from an imaginary straight line = from the rubber to the base. (90 degrees =3D home plate & 0 degrees =3Dfirst= or third base) In other words the foot must be pointing toward the base the pitcher is throwing.

From the stretch - if the pitcher foot crosses the rubber when lifted, he h= as to throw home.

From the stretch - the pitcher has to= come to a complete stop with his glove before throwing.

From any starting position (stretch or windup) the pitcher can't drop the ball.

From the stretch - the pitcher can't "twitch" at all. Once a movement is made, it has to continue into= a pitching motion.

The pitcher can't touch his hat while standing on the rubber.

Once the pitcher’s hand is touc= hing the ball inside the glove, you cannot bring your hand off the ball...unless= you step off the rubber first.

Once the pitcher steps off the rubber, = he considered a fielder, and since he is no longer a pitcher, the balk rule wi= ll not apply.

Here is the Green Book rule:=

Rule 8.05

If there is a runner, or runners= , on base it is a BALK when –<= o:p>

(a) The pitcher, while touching his plate, makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch and fails to make such delivery;

Rule 8.05(a) Comment: If a lefthanded or= righthanded pitcher swings his free foot past the = back edge of the pitcher’s rubber, he is required to pitch to the batt= er except to throw to second base on a pick-off-play. (b) The pitcher, while touching his plate, feints (fakes) a throw to first base and fails to compl= ete the throw;

Rule 8.05(c) Comment: Requires the pitcher, while touching his plate= , to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk.

A pitcher is to step directly toward a = base before throwing to that base but does not require him to throw (except to f= irst base only) because he steps. It is possible, with runners on first and thir= d, for the pitcher to step toward third and not throw, merely to bluff the run= ner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and s= tep toward and throw to first base. This is legal. However, if, with runners on first and third, the pitcher, while in contact with the rubber, steps toward third and then immediately and in practically the same motion “wheels” and throws to first base, it is obviously an attempt to deceive the runner at first base, and in such a move it is practically impossible to step directly toward first base before the throw to first bas= e, and such a move shall be called a balk. Of course, if the pitcher steps off= the rubber and then makes such a move, it is not a balk.

(d) The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints (fakes)= a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play;<= /o:p>

(e) The pitcher makes an illegal pitch;=

Rule 8.05(e) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpi= res will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is re= asonably set in the batter’s box. With runners on base the penalty i= s a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous= and should not be permitted.

(f) The pitcher delivers the ball to the batter while he is not facing the batter;

(g) The pitcher makes any motion naturally associated with his pitch while = he is not touching the pitcher’s plate;

(h) The pitcher unnecessarily delays the game;

Rule 8.05(h) Comment: Rule 8.05(h) shall not apply when a warning is = given pursuant to Rule 8.02(c) (which prohibits intentional delay of a game by throwing to fielders not in an attempt to put a runner out). If a pitcher is ejected pursuant to Rule 8.02(c) for continuing to delay the game, the pena= lty in Rule 8.05(h) shall also apply. Rule 8.04 (which sets a time limit for a pitcher to deliver the ball when the bases are unoccupied) applies only when there are no runners on base.

(i) The pitcher, without having the ball, stands on or astride the pitcher’s plate or while off the plate, he feints (fakes) a pitch;

(j) The pitcher, after coming to a legal pitching position, removes = one hand from the ball other than in an actual pitch, or in throwing to a base;=

(k) The pitcher, while touching his plate, accidentally or intention= ally drops the ball;

(l) The pitcher, while giving an intentional base on balls, pitches when= the catcher is not in the catcher’s box;

(m)The pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop.

The definition of a set position:

o The Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing the ba= tter with his entire pivot foot on, or in front of, and in contact with, and not= off the end of the pitcher's plate, and his other foot in front of the pitcher's plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and co= ming to a complete stop. Before assuming Set Position, the pitcher may elect= to make any natural preliminary motion such as that known as "the stretch." But if he so elects, he shall come to Set Position before delivering the ball to the batter. After coming to the Set Position, any natural motion associated with the delivery of the ball to the batter commi= ts him to the pitch without alteration or interruption.

PENALTY: The ball is dead, and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out, unless the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise, and = all other runners advance at least one base, in which case the play proceeds without reference to the balk. When a balk is called and the pitch is deliv= ered it will be considered neither a ball nor a strike unless the pitch is ball = four awarding the batter first base and forcing all runner on base to advance.

APPROVED RULING: In cases where a pitcher balks and thr= ows wild, either to a base or to home plate, a runner or runners may advance be= yond the base to which he is entitled at his own risk.<= /p>

APPROVED RULING: A runner who misses the first base to = which he is advancing and who is called out on appeal shall be considered as havi= ng advanced one base for the purpose of this rule.
Rule 8.05 Comment: Umpires should be= ar 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 umpireR= 17;s mind, the “intent” of the pitcher should govern. However, certa= in specifics should be borne in mind:

(a) Straddling the pitcher’s rubber without the ball is to be interpr= eted as intent to deceive and ruled a balk.

(b) With a runner on first base the pit= cher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first, and throw to sec= ond. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to an unoccupied base.