Understanding Baseball's Balk Rule

Common Ways a Pitcher Can Balk:

1. Starting and stopping: The pitcher begins their motion to throw home but then stops without completing the pitch.
2. Failing to come set: From the stretch position, the pitcher must pause (come to a complete stop) before throwing. If they don't, it's a balk.
3. Throwing to a base without stepping toward it: The pitcher must step directly toward a base when making a pickoff throw. If they don’t, it's a balk.
4. Faking a throw to first base: A pitcher cannot fake a pickoff throw to first base. (Faking to second or third is allowed.)
5. Throwing to an unoccupied base: Unless there’s a play happening, the pitcher can’t throw to a base where no runner is.
6. Dropping the ball while on the rubber: Even accidentally dropping the ball while standing on the pitching rubber is a balk.
7. Not facing the batter: When beginning the pitching motion, the pitcher must face the batter.

 

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