| A balk is any action taken by the pitcher to | | | | 6. The pitcher throws to an unoccupied base |
| deliberately deceive a base runner or base | | | | when not making a play on an advancing runner. |
| runners, to gain an unfair advantage. When a balk | | | | The pitcher can throw to an unoccupied base if a |
| is called by the umpire, time is called, and all base | | | | runner is attempting to advance to that base. |
| runners are awarded a one-base advance. It is a | | | | 7. The pitcher makes an illegal pitch. This may be |
| judgment rule made by one of the umpires. | | | | a quick pitch or a pitch throw before the batter is |
| Here are what I consider to be the 12 most | | | | judged to be set by the umpire. |
| common balk calls in baseball at all levels of play. | | | | 8. The pitcher performs his normal or natural |
| | | | pitching motion used to deliver a pitch without |
| 1. The pitcher delivers from the set position | | | | being on the pitching rubber. |
| without coming to a stop. | | | | 9. The pitcher fakes a pitch without the having |
| 2. The pitcher causes an unnecessarily delay the | | | | the baseball while on or off the rubber. |
| game. | | | | 10. While he is on the rubber, the pitcher drops |
| 3. The pitcher fakes a throw to first base, | | | | the baseball. This applies whether the baseball is |
| without stepping off the rubber, and does not | | | | accidentally or intentionally dropped. |
| throw the ball to first base. (The pitcher is allowed | | | | 11. The pitcher delivers from the set position |
| to fake a throw to second and third base when a | | | | without coming to a stop. |
| runner is occupying those bases. If the pitcher | | | | 12. The pitcher turns the shoulders toward first |
| steps off the rubber, he does not have to make | | | | base after coming to the set position. |
| the throw.) | | | | I am sure that you can name a couple more |
| 4. The pitcher does not step toward a base when | | | | ways that a pitcher can balk. These are the 12 |
| making a throw to that base. The 45 degree rule | | | | that I see the most from my point of view. I |
| applies in this case. | | | | hope that you found this article to be informative |
| 5. The pitcher makes his normal pitching motion | | | | and interesting. Thanks for taking the time to |
| but does not throw the ball to the plate. | | | | read it. |