How Do You Understand The Balk Rule In Baseball?
One of the most misunderstood and difficult to grasp rules in baseball surrounds the interpretation of baseball’s balk rule. Blink and you may miss it. Even among umpires there is no universal agreement on what constitutes a balk. But there are identifiable elements to understanding the balk rule and sometimes understanding what a balk is not is just as important. Generally speaking, any effort by a pitcher to deceive a base runner by feigning a move toward home plate is subject to being called a balk by an umpire. If an umpire calls a balk on the pitcher, all base runners automatically advance one base. Step 1 Check runners on base. A balk can only occur when there are runners at first and second base or when bases are loaded. Step 2 Step towards first base. The pitcher cannot feign a move toward home plate and then deliver a throw to first base. Step 3 Throw to first base. The pitcher must always throw the ball to first base if making his initial step towards first base. The pitcher
One of the most misunderstood and difficult to grasp rules in baseball surrounds the interpretation of baseball’s balk rule. Blink and you may miss it. Even among umpires there is no universal agreement on what constitutes a balk. But there are identifiable elements to understanding the balk rule and sometimes understanding what a balk is not is just as important. Generally speaking, any effort by a pitcher to deceive a base runner by feigning a move toward home plate is subject to being called a balk by an umpire. If an umpire calls a balk on the pitcher, all base runners automatically advance one base. Check runners on base. A balk can only occur when there are runners at first and second base or when bases are loaded. Step towards first base. The pitcher cannot feign a move toward home plate and then deliver a throw to first base. Throw to first base. The pitcher must always throw the ball to first base if making his initial step towards first base. The pitcher is not allowed to fei
