What is a catcher's balk in baseball?

Rule 5.02(a) says a catcher's balk happens when the catcher is out of position on a pitch: "Except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand."

What is a catcher's balk and who is charged with the balk?

McClelland: It is a balk if the catcher doesn't stay in the catcher's box until the pitcher delivers the ball. If he were to step out of the catcher's box – the little box behind home plate – before the pitcher delivers the ball it would be called a catcher's balk. The runners would advance.

What is penalty for catchers balk?

PENALTY the ball is dead and each runner shall advance one base without the liability of being put out unless the batter reaches first on a hit, error etc etc.... IN WHICH CASE THE PLAY PROCEEDS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO THE BALK. In effect, a catchers balk.

What are examples of a balk?

If you step back off the rubber, first, a fake is legal. If you perform a pick off move where the first move is NOT a step back, off the rubber, then a fake is NOT legal – it is a balk.

What defines a balk in baseball?

Definition. A balk occurs when a pitcher makes an illegal motion on the mound that the umpire deems to be deceitful to the runner(s). As a result, any men on base are awarded the next base, and the pitch (if it was thrown in the first place) is waved off for a dead ball.

Catcher's Balk

Can a catcher throw to an unoccupied base?

First - even in baseball the pitcher can throw to the base where the runner WAS, and the catcher can throw to ANY base. Second - in softball there are no such rules (the pitcher can't throw ANYwhere) at all. The catcher (in both sports) is simply an infielder trying to make a play.

What are the rules of a balk?

According to the rules of baseball, a balk is "an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base." The purpose of the balk rule is to preserve a balance between runners attempts to steal bases and the defense's attempts to retire them.

Can a catcher block the plate in Little League?

Runners are not required to slide, and catchers in possession of the ball are allowed to block the plate. However, runners who do slide and catchers who provide the runner with a lane will never be found in violation of the rule.

Can a pitcher throw to third without stepping off the rubber?

The pitcher may fake a throw to second or third base from the rubber, but not to first base. This may be done from the windup or the set position. (You do not have to step off the rubber to fake to 2nd or 3rd.

How many ways is a balk?

According to the official rules of the MLB, there are 13 ways a pitcher can balk. The ways a pitcher can balk ranges from the way they come to their set position and all the way through how they deliver the ball to home.

Is there such thing as a catcher balk?

Rule 5.02(a) says a catcher's balk happens when the catcher is out of position on a pitch: "Except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand."

Can a catcher cause a balk?

A catcher can cause a balk, but a balk is always attributed to the pitcher in the scorebook. Per the MLB rulebook, there are two scenarios that fit in the category of a catcher's balk.

Can a catcher use his mask to stop a ball?

Players must realize that improper use of detached equipment is against the rules. The catcher's mask was designed for protection, not to field a ball. The fielder's glove was made to catch a batted or thrown ball, not to be tossed at a thrown or batted ball.

What happens if bat hits catchers glove?

If the batter makes contact with the catchers mitt, the offense has the option to take the result of the play or one base will be rewarded to the batter.

What is catcher obstruction?

Catchers Obstruction – It is catcher's obstruction when a catcher hinders or prevents a batter from swinging at a pitch. 2. A fake tag is an act by a defensive player that simulates an attempt to tag a runner. Faking a tag is always considered obstruction.

Can a catcher catch the ball in front of home plate?

No it doesn't. From J/R: It is catcher's interference if the catcher is on or forward of the tip of home plate (or "on fair territory") to get the pitch and prevents the batter's opportunity to swing at or bunt such pitch.

Does your foot have to be on the rubber when you release the ball?

Every pitcher's foot comes off the rubber before actually releasing the ball, so it's a rule that is pretty much just ignored. But players normally don't stretch it as far as Capps is. What MLB wants is his back foot to be more a part of the natural motion of moving forward.

Can a pitcher fake a throw to second base?

The pitcher is still allowed to fake a throw to second base while in contact with the rubber provided that he steps towards second. Note that a pitcher, when faking a throw to second base, is not required to have arm motion in the fake, although a legal step is required.

What pitches are illegal in baseball?

An illegal pitch may be quick pitch (i.e. a pitch made before the batter is properly set in the batter's box), a pitch made while the pitcher is not in contact with the pitching rubber, or one in which he takes an extra step while making his delivery.

What happens if the batter hits the catcher with his backswing?

If a batter swings and misses a ball and in the process unintentionally hits this catcher on his backswing, it shall be called a strike, and not batter interference. Batter non-interference applies as long as the batter's feet remain in the batter's box. The ball is called dead by the umpire and the play is halted.

Is it illegal to truck the catcher?

The new rule, 7.13, states "a runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate)." A runner violating the rule shall be declared out, even if the fielder drops the ball.

Can a runner collide with the catcher?

Definition. The baserunner is not allowed to deviate from his direct path to initiate contact with the catcher (or any player covering the plate). Runners are considered to be in violation of this rule if they collide with the catcher in cases where a slide could have been used to avoid the collision.

Can you fake a pickoff to third?

A pitcher is not allowed to fake a pickoff throw to first or third base, but pitchers are allowed to fake a pickoff attempt to second base. In order for the fake pickoff attempt at second base to be legal, a base runner must be occupying second base.

Can you balk with no runners on?

Rule 8.05(e) Comment: A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.

Why is it called a balk?

The former home of the San Francisco Giants was notorious because of the gusty winds. According to the legend, Giants pitcher Stu Miller was blown off the mound by a gust of wind and the home plate umpire called a balk.