balk

Advertisement
RulesMLB Umpire Manual

THROWING TO AN UNOCCUPIED BASE

Rule 6.02(a)(4): Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(4) provides that the pitcher be charged with a balk if, while in contact with the pitcher’s plate, he throws to an unoccupied base except for the purpose of making a play.     EXAMPLES: (1) Runners on first and second, pitcher in set position. Runner breaks for third base…

RulesMLB Umpire Manual

STEPPING TO A BASE

Rule 6.02(a)(3): The pitcher, while touching the rubber, must step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off his free foot without actually stepping, it is a balk. In stepping to a base, the pitcher must lift his entire non-pivot foot off the ground and bring it…

RulesMLB Umpire Manual

PENALTY FOR A BALK

Rule 6.02(a) Under Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a), the penalty for a balk shall be: The ball is dead (when play stops), and each runner shall advance one base without liability to be put out unless the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise and…

RulesMLB Umpire Manual

BALK REGULATIONS

Rule 6.02(a): A balk shall be called audibly (“Balk!” or “That’s a balk!”) and by pointing laterally at the pitcher. However, the ball is not dead automatically when this call is made. The ball becomes dead only when the umpire calls “Time” following the call of balk, and the call of “Time” is to be…

RulesMLB Umpire Manual

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…

Don't strike out!

Become a part of the largest baseball rules community in the world!

Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current and former Major League Baseball players and umpires.