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Lesson 24:
A Situation 12 Balk
Situation # 12: Balks
The balk rule was originally introduced to promote offense and to protect baserunners from deceptive pitchers. Naturally, the whole art of pitching and picking runners off base is predicated on deception but there are certain practices which have been classified as unfair and illegal.
Sometimes the runner is caught by surprise and easily picked off. Other times, the first baseman may be the victim.
In this play, the pitcher and first baseman fail to communicate. The pitcher legally steps toward first to throw over but the first baseman is not near the bag since he’s playing in for a bunt. Under pro rules, this is ruled a balk. However, if a play was on and the first baseman was breaking toward the base when the pitcher threw over, no balk should be called.
Rule Reference: 8.05 / Pro Interp
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