CALLING “TIME” AFTER A BALK

Rule 6.02(a):

The penalty for balk allows the play to proceed without reference to the balk if the batter and all runners advance one base on the pitch following the balk (i.e., the actual pitch and/or action caused by the batter hitting the ball). The umpire shall not call “Time” until play stops following the balk. The question therefore arises as to when the umpire is to call “Time” to kill the ball after calling a balk. The following cases should help explain when play is considered “stopped” and at what moment the umpire should call “Time” following the call of balk:
(1) If the pitcher balks and does not throw the ball, call “That’s a balk; Time!” and enforce the balk.
(2) If the balk is followed by a batted ball, leave the ball in play until it is apparent that the batter and all runners will not advance one base. At that moment, call “Time” and enforce the balk. If, however, the batter reaches first base and all runners advance at least one base on play following the balk, play proceeds without reference to the balk.

    EXAMPLES:
(a) If a batted ball follows the balk and results in a fly ball that is caught, call “Time” the moment the fly ball is caught. Then enforce the balk.
(b) If a batted ball follows the balk and results in a ground-out on a previous runner at the base to which the runner would be entitled because of the balk, call “Time” the moment the out is made. Then enforce the balk.
(3) If the balk is followed by a pitch that is caught by the catcher, call “Time” the moment the catcher catches the ball. Then enforce the balk. (Note exception in ball four situations covered in item (5) below.)
(4) If the balk is followed by a pickoff throw to a base that is caught by a fielder, call “Time” the moment the fielder catches the ball. Then enforce the balk.
(5) If the balk is followed by ball four delivered to the batter and is caught by the catcher, call “Time” and enforce the balk unless all runners advance one base because of ball four. In that situation, play proceeds without reference to the balk.
(6) If the balk is followed by a pitch that strikes the batter, call “Time” the moment the pitch strikes the batter. Then enforce the balk unless the hit batter forces all other runners to advance one base, in which case play proceeds without reference to the balk.
(7) If the balk is followed by a wild throw to a base, the Approved Ruling of Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a) provides that the runner may advance beyond the base to which the runner is entitled at his own risk. In that situation the umpire shall call the balk in the usual manner but shall not call “Time” until all play has ceased (runners have stopped trying to advance and a fielder is in possession of the ball in the infield).
(8) If the balk is followed by a wild pitch, the Approved Ruling of Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a) provides that the runner may advance beyond the base to which the runner is entitled at his own risk. In that situation, the umpire shall call the balk in the usual manner but shall not call “Time” until all play has ceased (runners have stopped trying to advance and a fielder is in possession of the ball in the infield).
Note that even if the runner advances to or beyond the base to which the runner is entitled because of a wild pitch following a balk, the balk is still “acknowledged.” That is, the pitch is nullified and the batter will resume the at-bat with the count that existed when the balk occurred unless:
(a) The wild pitch was ball four on which all runners advanced one base; or
(b) The wild pitch was strike three on which the batter and all other runners advanced one base.
In both situations (a) and (b) above, play proceeds without reference to the balk, because all runners (including the batter-runner) advanced one base on the pitch following the balk.