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I cleaned up this page a little. First of all, balks are not judgment calls (i.e. "ball/strike" is a judgment call). Balks are simply violations of rules as outlined in the rule book. Additionally, the pitcher's intent has nothing to do with a balk.
I train umpires, so I see these misconceptions from coaches and players very often. If you have any questions, I would be happy to clarify anything. Please discuss on this page. Ags412 06:15, 4 March 2007 (UTC)
i am not sure where you are going with the statement that "Balks are things a pitcher does to deceive a runner". Then what is the purpose of the rule to begin with? Balks are when pitchers attempt to deceive batters or runners with where they intend on going with a pitch. The procedures you cite that cause a balk are baseball's description of what is deceptive and what is not. They can change tomorrow if they feel pitchers have found new ways to deceive runners. Then your article is wrong and you will need to change it.
My point is what is the purpose of the rule. All rules serve a purpose for existing. I dont have a historical book on how all of the rules developed- Im sure the intent of a rule is not included in the baseball rule book. Since day one pitchers have been encourgaged to deceive runners and hitters- i agree- but one of the violations you cite for a balk is throwing when a hitter is not ready. I think this would be considered deception or tricking the hitter. I think the problem you are having in regards with people thinking balks are intended to limit the pitchers ability to deceive- is your are just applying codes without attempting to explain why they exist. Rules are meant to be created, changed, and removed however the heart of a rule will never change. I believe the original intent for a balk was to limit the pitchers ability to "over deceive". Do not cite the MLB rule book saying this is not right. Get some history about the codes you are citing and why the codes exist to begin with. For instance- the NJ driver's handbook says dont speed- doesnt say why - there is certainly a reason why we have speeding limits. This article would be better with a history of the rule along with the violations you cite.
What I find intersting though- is no doubt you have been around baseball for a while but I was watching a telecast of a game the other day and heard sarge matthews say a balk is when a pitcher decieves a runner or hitter. Mr. Matthews probably has a bit more experience with baseball than either you or I.
In this portion: <<This is called the "fake to third, throw to first" play because the pitcher first fakes to third and subsequently throws to first.>> is the "because" portion really needed? It seems obvious from the name. Jeisenberg ( talk) 01:01, 4 September 2010 (UTC)
In the Official Baseball Rules, the Comments to Rule 8.05 specifically refer to determining intent to deceive the runner. Here is one such reference:
"Comment: Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire’s mind, the “intent” of the pitcher should govern. However, certain specifics should be borne in mind:
(a) Straddling the pitcher’s rubber without the ball is to be interpreted as intent to deceive and ruled a balk.
(b) With a runner on first base the pitcher may make a complete turn, without hesitating toward first, and throw to second. This is not to be interpreted as throwing to an unoccupied base.
"
Of course, the Comments in essence have the same effect as rules, as noted in the Foreword to the Official Baseball Rules:
"IMPORTANT NOTE
The Official Playing Rules Committee at its December 1977 meeting, voted to incorporate the Notes Case Book Comments section directly into the Official Playing Rules at the appropriate places. Basically, the Case Book interprets or elaborates on the basic rules and in essence have the same effect as rules when applied to particular sections for which they are intended. This arrangement is designed to give quicker access to any written language pertaining to an Official Rule and does not require a reader to refer to different sections of the Official Playing Rules book in considering the application of a particular rule."
Justus R 01:55, 12 May 2007 (UTC)
So it is never allowable to fake a throw to first base? In other words would the play seen in "Little Big League" (Yes, I know it's just a movie) where the pitcher fakes the throw to first as if to pick off Griffey, everybody runs to foul territory as if the ball got away, and then the pitcher throws Griffey out at second have been correctly ruled a balk? -- -B- ( talk) 04:20, 11 May 2008 (UTC)
It seems today one or two editors (depending on who the IP address belongs to, have added balkable actions to the list without providing comment or source. They are not reflected in the rule. WHile there are instances where such actions may result in a balk being called, the specifics are contained in other portions of the rule already listed. For example, "throws to the first baseman, who because of his distance from the bag, cannot make a tag attempt on the runner" is not listed in the rule. However, "unnecessarily delays the game" covers that particular action by the terms of the Comment: "Rule 8.05(h) Comment: Rule 8.05(h) shall not apply when a warning is given pursuant to Rule 8.02(c) (which prohibits intentional delay of a game by throwing to fielders not in an attempt to put a runner out). If a pitcher is ejected pursuant to Rule 8.02(c) for continuing to delay the game, the penalty in Rule 8.05(h) shall also apply."
Also, how is "Engages the rubber with his hands together; the balk may be called once he separates his hands" different from "after bringing his hands together on the rubber, separates them except in making a pitch or a throw"?
I am removing these two on the list for now, pending an explanation of why they belong in this list. Justus R 03:05, 11 July 2007 (UTC)
I added the part about the first baseman because it is specific to first base. For some reason in the rules, first base has some special designations. For example, you cannot fake a throw to first base while in contact. Also, you cannot throw to the first baseman if, because of his distance from the bag, cannot make a play on the runner.
But, you could fake a throw to second or third base. Also, for example, you could throw to the shortstop who is 10 feet from the bag if there is a runner on second. I cannot cite an online source, however, this is coming from Jaksa and Roder's Rules of Professional Baseball. You can find their book at rulesofbaseball.com. These guys taught at the only umpiring schools that are licensed to train umpires for Major League Baseball. This example of throwing to the first baseman is specifically covered in that. It is not directly in OBR because it is a casebook example. In fact, I believe it might be in the PBUC Umpire Manual. No offense Justus R, but you cannot claim to be a "rules freak" if you don't know about this example Jpm986 13:27, 18 July 2007 (UTC)
In the Official Baseball Rules, the rule on calling a balk for delaying the game says "unnecessarily" not inordinately. That is why I put in "unnecessarily" in that bullet point. Also, throwing to the first baseman while in contact with the pitcher's plate when not close enough to make a play on the runner is no different from throwing to another fielder who is not close enough to make a play. Hence, I removed that listing as being non-comprehensive and not reflective of the rule. While it is true that such an action can be called a balk, it is certainly not described in that manner.
If there are citations to rules other than OBR that do use that wording, then some compromise language referring to the differing rules certainly may be possible. Justus R 21:54, 12 July 2007 (UTC)
Jaksa and Rodder has it as unnecessarily as well. I'm going to update the first baseman balk rule. I just cross-referenced it with the PBUC manual (which is where many of these interpretations come from that MLB umpires use that are not specifically stated in OBR Jpm986 23:43, 25 July 2007 (UTC)
How do you say "balk." Is it "Bawk" as in rhymes with "talk," or like "ballk"? 63.26.67.75 ( talk) 00:15, 8 December 2008 (UTC)eric
Yes, it rhymes with talk and walk. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.141.242.40 ( talk) 20:20, 9 July 2009 (UTC)
Someone pointed out that the record for balks in a single season was only partially correct. I confirmed on mlb.com that there is no tie for most balks in a single season. Marendrent ( talk) 18:41, 22 January 2009 (UTC)
The definition of a balk in Rule 2 of the Official Baseball Rules:
"A BALK is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base."
Other rule sets are similar. If there is a rule set which provides for a balk to be called with no runners on base, please provide a citation. Justus R ( talk) 19:33, 10 October 2009 (UTC)
All rule sets refer to the action of making a false display of pitching or throwing to a base as a "feint", as in OBR Rule 8.05(d) "The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play; ..."
While both words convey a similar sense, there is a difference between them that is intended in the baseball rules. That is, "feign" means to give a false appearance, while "feint" means to make a deceptive show of an action. To illustrate: After a balk is called, a pitcher might feign ignorance of the rule that prohibits feinting a throw to an unoccupied base. Justus R ( talk) 02:57, 13 October 2009 (UTC)
Feint (Wikipedia) "Feint is a French term that entered English via the discipline of fencing.[citation needed] Feints are maneuvers designed to distract or mislead, done by giving the impression that a certain maneuver will take place, while in fact another, or even none, will." Justus R ( talk) 14:57, 15 July 2012 (UTC)
To anyone outside baseball, the verb "to balk" is very common. I think its more commonly use outside baseball than within. I think this should be mentioned in article, and there should be a link to the Wiktionary definifition of the word.(mercurywoodrose) 66.80.6.163 ( talk) 16:28, 26 August 2011 (UTC)
This term was used in the article, but not explained.
Can a pitcher balk in throwing to the plate (fail to come to a complete stop), and have the batter swing and get a hit? Swing and hit into a double play? — Preceding unsigned comment added by NitPicker769 ( talk • contribs) 19:02, 24 May 2012 (UTC)
I came here looking for the "philosophy" behind the balk rules. But the article is very light on reasoning. It doesn't mention that balk rules are intended to prevent certain kinds of deception until almost the end of the article. That should be in the first paragraph, IMO. And in the list of individual prohibited actions, it would be nice if it mentioned the particular deception that is being addressed. Having said all that, I acknowledge that I am griping without contributing to correcting the problem. But I am not a baseball player or coach, so I don't feel qualified to do it myself. 2602:306:839B:1150:78C4:1CE6:9290:8FF8 ( talk) 20:25, 16 May 2015 (UTC)
But the American pronunciation should be given for a term from an American (US) sport. HGilbert ( talk) 11:40, 8 October 2015 (UTC)
It seems helpful to have a pronunciation guide, but User:24.131.136.147 keeps removing the following longstanding content (with recently updated reference). Any thoughts?
References
I have latterly read the "balks" section of the most current version of the Official Baseball Rules, and the list is slightly deviant, as a result of recent update, than that of the one on this page. I paraphrased this list below in accordance with the most updated list in the rule book. Just wanted a consensus first. Here it is
- With at least one runner on base, a move is considered a balk when: 1) The pitcher, while on the rubber, makes any motion associated with his pitching motion, but fails to deliver a pitch. 2) The pitcher feints a throw to first or third base while on the rubber (The pitcher is permitted to feint a throw to second base; he may throw to an unoccupied second base withal, given a runner on first base. These occurrences are not balks). 3) The pitcher does not take an overt step toward a base wherein he is attempting to pick-off while on the rubber. 4) While on the rubber, the pitcher throws or feints to an unoccupied base, save for acting on an imminent play. 5) The pitcher delivers an illegal pitch such as a quick pitch (pitches thrown rapidly and without taking proper pitching preliminaries first, such as coming to a complete stop after the stretch). 6) The pitcher delivers a pitch while facing away from the batter. 7) The pitcher makes any motion associated with his pitching motion while off of the rubber. 8) The pitcher excessively defers the game. 9) The pitcher stands on the rubber or bestrides it without possession of the ball or feints a pitch. 10) The pitcher removes one hand from the ball while on the rubber upon coming to a legal pitching position, aside from actually delivering the pitch. 11) The pitcher drops the ball while on the rubber, even if inadvertently. 12) The pitcher delivers a pitch while the catcher is not fully in the catcher’s box (with both feet). 13) The pitcher delivers a pitch in the set position without coming to a complete stop. 14) The catcher, or other infielder, steps on or in front of home plate during a steal of home or a squeeze play without possession of the ball (unless they are attempting to field an already thrown ball in the umpire's judgement). 15) The catcher contacts the batter or his bat during a squeeze or steal of home. 16) The pitcher switches from the wind up to the set, or reciprocally, without disengaging the rubber. - In scenarios 14 and 15, the batter is awarded first base along with the normal balk call procedures (each runner advances one base).
The last two were acquired from observation of other sections of the rule book that mention balking. 1-13 is explicitly stated in the "balks" section. Feel free to suggest an addition if you noticed I missed anything; the rule book is very prolix and I may have overlooked or not read a specific piece. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Guitarguy84 ( talk • contribs) 11:58, 25 May 2016 (UTC)