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 pitcher Joe Kelly was called for a “no-stop” balk.  All the runners advanced one base because of the balk. Carpenter was allowed to score giving the Cards a 3-2 lead in a game they would win 6-5 in 11 innings.  Burleson was sent to third and Crawford was awarded second. But because the batter, Scott II, did not advance one base, he remained at bat with the count he had prior to the balk/pitch.

Ruleball Comments

When a pitch or play follows a balk, the ball remains alive until it is apparent that all runners, including the batter-runner will not advance one base.  If all runners, including the batter-runner advance one base on the play, the balk is nullified. Since it is a requirement for the batter-runner to reach base, the batted ball must be a fair ball. In the above play, because all runners did not advance one base, including the batter-runner (Scott II), the balk penalty was invoked the moment Hernandez caught the fly ball. Scott II remained at bat and fouled-out to third baseman Max Muncy.

When a pitch follows a balk, this is a free swing for the batter. If he is retired before reaching first base, the batter remains at bat. If the batter hits safely or reaches base on an error and all runners advance one base, the balk is nullified.

If the pitcher balks and delivers a pitch that strikes the batter, or a pitch that would be called “Ball Four,” the balk is nullified only if all runners on base advance one base, by virtue of the batter-runner occupying first base. Therefore, there must be a runner on first, first and second, or first, second, and third.

EX: There’s a runner on first and no outs when the pitcher balks and delivers the pitch that is called “Ball Four” or the batter is hit by the pitch.  In that situation the balk is nullified because the batter-runner would reach first base, forcing the runner on first to advance one base. If the runner was on second base when the pitch was delivered, the runner would be awarded third base, but the batter would remain at bat because the batter’s appearance at first base would not force the runner on second to advance a base.   

EX: There are runners on first and third and one out. The count is 3-2 on the batter and the pitcher balks before he delivers the pitch that is called “Ball Four.”  In that situation the balk rule would be enforced because the runner on third would not be forced by virtue of the batter-runner occupying first base, only the runner on first would be forced.  The runner on first would be awarded second because of the balk and the runner on third would score. The batter would remain at bat with a 3-2 count. If the bases were loaded and the pitcher delivered the pitch following a balk that would be “Ball Four,” then the balk would be nullified because all runners, including the batter-runner advanced one base because of the base on balls. Look at the base on balls or hit by pitch as a base hit with all runners advancing one base if the batter-runner occupying first base forces all runners to advance. 

Unlike catcher’s interference, the manager of the offensive does not have the option of taking the play or the penalty, if following a balk, the batter puts the ball in play. There are three situations when a manager has the option of taking the play or the penalty: (1) catcher’s interference if the batter puts a fair batted ball in play and all runners, including the batter-runner do not advance one base; (2) If a batter hits a defaced ball; or (3)  if an infielder is out of position as required by the 2023 rule before the pitch is delivered and the batter puts the ball in play.

In cases where a pitcher balks and throws wild, either to a base or home plate, a runner may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled by the balk, at his own risk. Example: There’s a runner on first when the pitcher makes a step balk before throwing to the base. The throw is errant, and the runner attempts to advance beyond his awarded one base (second base) and is thrown out at third. The runner remains out.                                 

“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.” A balk was called on Murfee because he did not come to a stop before delivering the pitch. Guerrero was allowed to stay at second because of the balk but lost his stolen base.  Merrifield should have been awarded first base because the base on balls would have forced Guerrero to second base. Instead, he remained at bat with a 3-2 count and subsequently struck out. The Jays lost the game 10-8 in 10 innings.

Ruleball Comments

The umpires failed to properly interpret rule 6.02 (a) Penalty when a balk occurs.

It reads, “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.“

In the above play, because Merrifield would have reached first base via a base on balls which would have forced Guerrero to second base, the balk is nullified, and Merrifield should have been awarded first base. If Guerrero was on second or third base at the start of play, the umpires should then enforce the balk penalty because Merrifield’s base on balls would not force Guerrero to the next base. If there were runners on first and third, or second and third, or just on second or just on third at the time the pitch was delivered, the balk penalty would be enforced because Merrifield’s base on balls would not force the runner to advance one base and he would remain at bat with a 3-2 count.

I don’t understand why the four umpires did not huddle and rectify the situation.

The Blue Jays should have asked for a RULES CHECK.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst:  Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and NBC Sports Chicago.