Rule sets / OBR
Official Baseball Rules
The Official Baseball Rules govern professional baseball and are the default rule set for most games played around the world.
The Big Ones
Start here - the most important OBR balks to know. The majority of balks called during a baseball game are variations of these.
No-Stop Balk
5.07(a)(2) +2 From the set position the pitcher must come to a complete and discernible stop before delivering with runners on base.
Read the rule →FeaturedStart-Stop Delivery Balk
6.02(a)(1) Once a pitcher begins his delivery to the plate he must continue without interruption.
Read the rule →FeaturedNo Step Balk
6.02(a)(3) +2 A pitcher must step toward the base he is throwing to. Failing to do so is a balk.
Read the rule →Pre-Pitch
Balks that occur before the pitcher begins his delivery to the plate.
- Disengage Free Foot Balk
5.07(a)(1) CommentIf the pitcher disengages from the rubber with his free foot instead of his pivot foot, it is a balk.
- Disengagement Without Dropping Hands Balk
5.07(a) Comment +1A pitcher must drop his hands to his sides when disengaging from the rubber.
- Hidden Ball Trick Balk
6.02(a)(9)Not all hidden ball trick attempts are balks but some are.
- Pitcher Removes Hand From Ball Balk
6.02(a)(10)If the pitcher removes his hand from the ball before beginning his delivery, it is a balk.
Delivery
Balks that arise from how the pitch is started and completed.
- Catcher Outside Catcher's Box Balk
5.02(a) +2The catcher must have two feet in the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand during delivery.
- No-Stop Balk
5.07(a)(2) +2From the set position the pitcher must come to a complete and discernible stop before delivering with runners on base.
- Not Facing Batter Balk
6.02(a)(6)A pitcher must face the batter when delivering a pitch. Failing to do so is a balk.
- Not Touching Plate Balk
6.02(a)(7) +1A pitcher must be in contact with the pitcher's plate when making a pitching motion.
- Pitcher Drops Ball or Slips From His Hand Balk
6.02(a)(11) +1If the pitcher drops the ball while on the rubber or it slips from his hand during delivery, it is a balk.
- Quick-Pitch Balk
Definition: Quick Pitch +4A pitcher may not deliver a pitch before the batter is reasonably set in the box. Doing so is a balk.
- Second Step Towards Home Balk
5.07(a) CommentThe pitcher cannot take a second step toward home plate with either foot during the delivery of the pitch.
- Start-Stop Delivery Balk
6.02(a)(1)Once a pitcher begins his delivery to the plate he must continue without interruption.
Pickoffs
Illegal moves and throws toward a base while a runner is on.
- Disengagement Limit Balk
An optional disengagement limit may be imposed to increase pace of play.
- Free Foot Swing
6.02(a)(1) CommentOnce the pitcher's free (stride) foot swings past the back edge of the rubber, the pitcher is committed to delivering home. The only exception is a throw to second base on a pickoff play.
- Illegal Feint Balk
6.02(a)(2)It varies by rule set but feints to first base are prohibited and a feint to third base might be as well.
- No Step Balk
6.02(a)(3) +2A pitcher must step toward the base he is throwing to. Failing to do so is a balk.
- Unoccupied Base Balk
6.02(a)(4) +1A pitcher may not throw to an unoccupied base unless the throw is part of a play to retire a runner.
Set & Windup Position
Illegal actions tied to the pitcher's stance and contact with the rubber.
- Double Set Balk
6.02(a)(13)A pitcher may not come to a complete stop in the set position, restart his motion to come set and come to a second complete stop.
- High Set Position Balk
6.02(a)(13) +1The pitcher must hold the ball in both hands in front of his body when coming to a complete stop in the set position. If his hands are above the top of his head, it is a balk.
- Hybrid No-Declare Windup Balk
5.07(a)(2) CommentWith a runner or runners on base, a pitcher will be presumed to be pitching from the Set Position if he stands with his pivot foot in contact with and parallel to the pitcher's plate.
- Windup to Set Position Balk
5.07(a)(1) CommentA pitcher may not switch from the windup to the set position without disengaging from the rubber.
Other
Balks that don't fit neatly into the other categories.
- Catcher Interference Balk
6.01(g)Some instances of catcher's interference also carry a balk penalty.
- Foreign Substance Balk
6.02(c)(2-7) +2The presence of a foreign substance might constitute a balk.
- Unnecessarily Delay Balk
5.07(c) +3A pitcher may not unnecessarily delay the game.