New Balk Rule

Each season, the rules of baseball are re-evaluated and modified. With the modern materials available and new manufacturer techniques these days, most of the rules are changed for the sole purpose of safety. This year there have been changes to a variety of book rules. I have been asked to explain the changes made to “The Balk”. Since we covered the balk last year, let’s take a quick refresher so we have a base to start from.

As defined in the 2.00 section of the rule book:

A BALK is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base.

The 8.00 section in the rule book is devoted specifically to the pitcher and what they can and cannot do. There are six rules with definitions and comments in this section. A balk is called when a pitcher makes a “deliberate effort to deceive a runner or batter”. Although, this section is specific and technical, I look for a balk that is truly an attempt to “deceive” the runner or batter. For example, combining the two pitching positions, quick pitch, properly engaging and disengaging the rubber, a feint pick to the incorrect base while engaged on the rubber, breaking the hands when disengaging the rubber or breaking the line … you know, just the big stuff.

The little stuff I try to educate the coach and players, but keeping in mind I’m the official not the coach--a very fine line, I must admit.

This year’s changes are:

8.05(b); The pitcher while touching his plate, feints a throw to first or third base and fails to complete the throw.

805.(c); Comment: Requires the pitcher, while touchinghis plate, to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base. If a pitcher turns or spins off of his free foot without actually stepping or if he turns his body and throws before stepping, it is a balk.

A pitcher is to step directly toward a base before throwing to that base, and is required to throw, except to second base because he steps. It is a balk if, with runners on first and third the pitcher steps towards third and does notthrow, merely to bluff the runner back to third; then seeing the runner on first start for second, turn and step toward and throw to first base. It is legal for a pitcher to feint a throw to second base.

8:05(k) the pitcher, while touching the plate, accidentally or intentionally has the ball slip or fall out of his hand or glove.

If you read carefully, you will notice the phrase “while touching his plate” and if a pitcher steps at a base, then he must throw to that base. The exception is to second only. This is the change. It’s designed to eliminate the deception and to make the game fair.

Last year 8.05(k) stated only “if the ball was dropped” now it’s balk if the ball slips out of the hand or glove, again, to eleimate any deception to make the game fair.

As I said last year, most of the balks called are due to incorrect mechanics. If you have a young player that wants to become a pitcher, I ask you to read and fully understand the mechanical of this section when training a player to pitch. The mechanics are specific; besides, there are a lot of things you can do within the framework of the rules that will make your pitcher better on the hill. If you have questions, ask the official before the game starts for clarification.