Balk Actions
A pitcher is restricted to a certain set of motions and one of two basic pitching positions before and during a pitch; if these regulations are violated with one or more runners on base, an umpire may call a balk.
With a runner on base and the pitcher on or astride (with one leg on each side of) the rubber, it is a balk when the pitcher:
- switches his pitching position from the windup to the set (or vice versa) without properly disengaging the rubber;
- while on the rubber, makes a motion associated with his pitch and does not complete the delivery;
- when pitching from the set position, fails to make a complete stop with his hands together before beginning to pitch;
- throws from the mound to a base without stepping toward (gaining distance in the direction of) that base;
- throws or feints a throw from the rubber to an unoccupied base, unless a play is imminent;
- steps or feints from the rubber to first base without completing the throw (doing so to second or third base is legal);
- delivers a quick return, a pitch thrown right after receiving the ball back, with intent to catch the batter off-guard;
- drops the ball while on the rubber, even if by accident, if the ball does not subsequently cross a foul line;
- while intentionally walking a batter, releases a pitch while the catcher is out of his box with one or both feet
- unnecessarily delays the game
- pitches while facing away from the batter;
- after bringing his hands together on the rubber, separates them except in making a pitch or a throw;
- stands on or astride the rubber without the ball, or mimics a pitch without the ball; or
- throws to first when the first baseman, because of his distance from the base, is unable to make a play on the runner there.
The pitcher's acts of spitting on the ball, defacing or altering the ball, rubbing the ball on the clothing or body, or applying a foreign substance to the ball are not balks, however it will result in the pitcher's ejection from the game if caught.
Read more about this topic: Balk
Famous quotes containing the word actions:
“We should often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world understood all the motives behind them.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (161380)