What Is a Balk in Baseball?

Balks are one of the trickier baseball rules to understand. Rarely seen and called for relatively subtle rule violations, it’s not always easy to spot when a balk has been committed. 

Balks aren’t usually worth worrying about when looking to bet online on the MLB betting markets, but a balk in a big moment can have a massive impact on a season. 

Steve Carlton, for example, committed 90 balks throughout his MLB career, and there have been at least 25 instances of a walk-off balk. 

What Is a Balk in Baseball?

A balk is when a pitcher makes an illegal motion on the mound which could mislead the baserunners. 

The runners are awarded an extra base if a balk is called. In MLB and college baseball, the baserunners are given the extra base after the play develops. 

Pitchers have a certain set of motions and two pitching positions they can use on the mound. Violating these rules with a runner on base can lead to an umpire calling a balk.

How Many Ways Can a Pitcher Balk?

There are 13 different ways for a pitcher to balk. Pitchers must go to the set position once they have agreed on a pitch with their catcher before they begin their motion to home plate.

A balk can be called if there is any fluidity between agreeing on the pitch and beginning their motion. Pitchers also cannot flinch when set.

Windups such as Luis Garcia’s are now illegal under MLB’s new balk rules pic.twitter.com/9gEOhvdgMl

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 15, 2023

13 Ways a Pitcher Is Called for a Balk

• Starting and stopping their pitching motion
• Faking a throw to first base
• Throwing to a base without stepping toward it
• Faking or throwing to an unoccupied base
• Failing to come set before delivering the pitch
• Pitching before the hitter is ready
• Pitching without facing the hitter
• Making a movement similar to their pitching motion when not on the rubber
• Delaying the game
• Standing on the rubber without the ball
• Separating their hands after coming set
• Dropping the ball when standing on the rubber
• Pitching during a steal of home or squeeze play if the catcher or another player steps in front of home plate without the ball

How Does an Umpire Call a Balk?

Umpires will loudly verbalize when a balk is committed. 

If the pitch has not been delivered, they will call time and move the runners up a base. If the pitch has been thrown, umpires will wait for the ball to reach the catcher and then advance the runners. 

When a hitter puts the ball in play following a balk, umpires in MLB should wait for the play to develop before taking action. All runners must advance at least one base safely for the play to stand. 

If the batter is out or one or more runners don’t advance a base, the balk stands, and every baserunner moves up a base.

What Happens if a Pitcher Balks With Nobody on Base?

Technically, it is not possible to balk with nobody on base. 

Balks are about deceiving baserunners, so committing a balk is impossible without players on base.

However, an “illegal pitch” can be committed, which is similar to a balk. This happens if a pitcher delivers a pitch from off the rubber, intentionally confuses the hitter, or stops their delivery.

Pitch clock violations or quick pitches also count as an “illegal pitch.” A hitter is awarded a ball if an illegal pitch is called.