Rule sets / OBR / No-Stop Balk
No-Stop Balk
From the set position the pitcher must come to a complete and discernible stop before delivering with runners on base.
Set Position shall be indicated by the pitcher when he stands facing the batter with his pivot foot in contact with, and his other foot in front of, the pitcher's plate, holding the ball in both hands in front of his body and coming to a complete stop.
The pitcher, following his stretch, must (a) hold the ball in both hands in front of his body and (b) come to a complete stop. This must be enforced. Umpires should watch this closely. Pitchers are constantly attempting to "beat the rule" in their efforts to hold runners on bases and in cases where the pitcher fails to make a complete "stop" called for in the rules, the umpire should immediately call a "Balk."
Rule 5.07(a)(2) Comment: With no runners on base, the pitcher is not required to come to a complete stop when using the Set Position.
If there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when the pitcher delivers the pitch from Set Position without coming to a stop.
MLB Umpire Development Manual Authoritative interpretation
After the pitcher makes the preliminary hand and arm motion known as the "stretch" postion, he must come to a complete stop before delivering to the batter with runners on base. Rule 5.07(a)(2) stipulates that the pitcher, following his stretch, must hold the ball in both hands in front of his body when coming to a complete stop. The professional interpretation of "in front of his body" is that the hands must be below the top of the pitcher's head. If a pitcher comes to a complete stop with his hands above the top of his head, he shall be charged with a balk.
A pitcher does not have to come to a complete stop before throwing to a base, disengaging the rubber or; delivering a pitch with no runners on base.
There is no time restriction on the length of the "stop." For example, there is no rule that requires him to stop for the "full second" or "at least one-half-second." The stop is to be defined by the umpire. However, the umpire should make certain the pitcher's free foot does not start up before the pitcher has reached the bottom of his stretch position. A mere change of direction is not considered a stop.
Lastly, if the pitcher comes to a complete stop, starts his motion, then makes a second stop, he shall be charged with a balk. A pitcher is not allowed to set twice. This is referred to as a "double set."
Video examples
Left-handed pitcher in the Set Position fails to come to a complete stop. It appears that he stops his hands but his legs continue to move. When the balk is enforced, the runner from first is advanced to second base.
Right-handed pitcher in the Set Position fails to come to a complete stop. His hands continue to move. When the balk is enforced, the runner from first is advanced to second base.
Right-handed pitcher in the Set Position fails to come to a complete stop. As he moves from the stretch his legs continue to bounce. There is no discernible difference between the last bounce and the previous bounces which would indicate that he has come to a complete stop. When the balk is enforced, the runner from first is advanced to second base.
Left-handed pitcher in the Set Position fails to come to a complete stop. His hands continue to move. When the balk is enforced, the runner from first is advanced to second base.
Right-handed pitcher in the Set Position fails to come to a complete stop. As he moves from the stretch his legs continue to bounce. There is no discernible difference between the last bounce and the previous bounces which would indicate that he has come to a complete stop. When the balk is enforced, all three runners are advanced one base - scoring the runner from third.
Right-handed pitcher in the Set Position fails to come to a complete stop. When the balk is enforced, all three runners are advanced one base - scoring the runner from third.
Right-handed pitcher in the Set Position fails to come to a complete stop. As he moves from the stretch his legs continue to bounce. There is no discernible difference between the last bounce and the previous bounces which would indicate that he has come to a complete stop. When the balk is enforced, the runner from first is advanced to second base.