Balk Call on Third Disengagement Fuels Rockies’ Run in Braves Game
The Braves hosted the Rockies on June 15th. In the top of the seventh, the Rockies had Jordan Beck on third and Tyler Freeman on first with one out. Hunter Goodman was at bat facing José Ruiz with a 1-2 count. Freeman made an early bluff to second base. This induced Ruiz to step back…
July 2025 Question and Answer
Question No. 1 In the following play, the batter-runner was running on the infield grass on the way to first base. Why wasn’t the batter-runner called out for interference because he was running out of the Runner’s Lane? This is the play you are referring to. The Cubs and Phils played at Citizen’s Bank on…
How the Batter’s Actions Affects the Calling of a Balk
Did the batter’s actions in the following play cause the pitcher to balk? If so, shouldn’t the balk be nullified? The Guardians and Twins played a double header at Target Field on Aug. 9, 2024. In the seventh inning of the second game, plate ump Jim Wolf called a balk on Guardians pitcher Tim Herrin…
Third Disengagement Balk
In the July 4, 2024 Rays-Royals game at Kauffman Stadium, the Rays were batting in the top of the first inning. They had Richie Palacios on second and Isaac Paredes on first with one out when Royals pitcher Alec Marsh failed to pick-off Palacios which was his third disengagement. A balk was called on Marsh…
Different Situations Where a Pitcher Delivers a Pitch Following a Balk
Play Follows a Balk The Dodgers hosted the Cardinals on March 30, 2024. In the top of the seventh, the Cards had Matt Carpenter on third, Alec Burleson on second, and Brandon Crawford on first with one out when Victor Scott II flied to Teoscar Hernandez in left. But the out was nullified when Dodgers…
“Balk/Walk” Rule Misinterpreted
The Blue Jays hosted the Mariners on April 30, 2023. In the bottom of the fourth, Whitt Merrifield was at bat with a 3-2 count and two outs facing Penn Murfee. Vlad Guerrero, the runner on first, took off with the pitch that was “Ball Four.” One of the umpires on plate ump Mark Carlson’s…
Beware the Hybrid Pitching Delivery (with runners on base)
Five Questions about Balks Answered by Rich Marazzi
When a pitcher balks followed by a throw to a base or a pitch to the batter, or pitches a “Ball Four,” there are many questions that need to be answered. This creates a challenge for the players, coaching staff, manager, and broadcasters. Keep in mind, when a pitcher balks, the ball is not always…
Walk Off Balk!
The Reds were batting in the bottom of the tenth with the score tied 1-1 on July 8, 2022. Tyler Naquin was facing Matt Wisler with runners on first and third and one out when Edwin Moscoso called a balk on Wisler. Mark Kolozsvary, the runner on third, scored the winning run on the play….