Balk

The balk rule exists to keep the pitcher from tricking the runners. Once the pitcher is on the rubber with runners on base, any move that starts the delivery has to finish as a pitch, and a move toward a base has to be a real step toward it. Starting the motion and stopping, faking a throw to first from the rubber, throwing to a base without stepping toward it, and pitching without coming to a stop in the set position are the balks called most.

When a balk is called, the ball is dead and each runner is awarded one base. If the pitch is delivered anyway and the batter reaches base safely and every runner moves up at least a base, the play stands and the balk is ignored. With the bases empty there is no balk; an illegal pitch with nobody on is called a ball.

On the score sheet, write BK on each runner's advance. A run that scores on a balk is earned, since it is the pitcher's own mistake, and the batter gets no RBI for it. The pitcher's line gets a balk in the count, which is worth tracking for a young pitcher learning the stretch.

Softball has no balk. Its version is the illegal pitch: a pitch thrown against the pitching rules is a ball to the batter, and runners move up a base. Many younger baseball divisions, where runners cannot lead off, also call fewer balks, so check your league's rules before you teach a pickoff move.

Examples

• Runner on first, the pitcher lifts the front leg and stops: balk, the runner goes to second.
• Runner on first, the pitcher on the rubber jerks the shoulders toward first and does not throw: balk, the runner goes to second.
• Runner on first, the pitcher does not come set before throwing home: balk, the runner goes to second.
• Runners on first and third, a balk is called: the runner from third scores, the runner from first goes to second, and the run is earned.

Put it on a card: Score sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

More in the glossary

• Pickoff signs
• Passed ball vs. wild pitch
• Earned run
• All glossary pages