13 ways to avoid "balking" on the pitcher's mound

Pitching from the stretch is difficult enough for most pitchers because they don't feel comfortable doing it. Add a runner on base, and you've got not only to focus on throwing strikes, but you've got to keep the runner from getting walking (or running) leads.

Here are 13 ways to avoid being called for a balk. Work on these tips in practice so that they become second nature, which will enable you to concentrate more fully on getting the hitter out in games.

1. Do not stand on the rubber without the ball or before you are ready to read the catcher's signs.
2. You can look over at first, and you can turn your shoulders toward first a little bit, in order to give yourself a better view, but if you make any sudden move at all, including twitching your shoulder, you have to throw there.
3. A fake throw to first is a balk, although you can fake throw to the other bases (but you must step toward second or third with your non pivot foot before faking, if your pivot foot is on the rubber). You cannot throw to an empty base unless a runner is going and you have him picked off. You can fake throw to first only if you first fake throw to another base (and you must step in the direction of the base you are first faking to).
4. You have to step with your non pivot foot in the direction of the base you are throwing to, before actually throwing the ball. In regards to first base, if you were to draw a straight line from the edge of the pitching rubber toward home, and then drew a 45 degree angle coming out from that line in the direction of home plate, any pick off attempt would require that your non pivot foot be on the first base side of that line. If it is not, you could be called for a balk.
5. Once you start your windup you cannot stop (i.e. you begin your windup, batter squares around to bunt, causing you to stop for a second - that's a balk).
6. If you throw to the plate while your pivot foot is off the rubber you have committed a balk.
7. If you want to step off the rubber after receiving the catcher's sign, or if you want to start over, or you want the runner to go back to his base - before you have begun your windup - step backwards off the rubber with your pivot foot, while dropping your hands down to your side.
8. If you use the windup, you cannot make your first step in the direction of first if right handed, you hav e to step backwards or at a 45 degree angle.
9. If you drop the ball or it slips out of your hand as you begin throwing, and runners are on base - it is a balk (if no runners are on base and the dropped ball crosses the foul line, it is a ball; otherwise it is called no pitch).
10. If your non pivot foot goes behind the rubber as you lift your leg into the balance position, you must throw to the plate
11. When starting from the stretch position one hand must be by your side (you cannot start with your throwing hand by your mit). When you begin from the stretch you must pause for a second after bringing your hands together before pitching. If you were to pause after bringing your hands together at the top of your chest, then pause again when your hands were lowered, that would be a balk. You must pause one time, and one time only, from the stretch. You do not have to pause when pitching from a full windup.
12. When you are not on the rubber, you are allowed to fake throw, walk toward, or make any other motion you want to force the runner back to the bag.
13. If you step back off the rubber with your pivot foot and then make a bad throw to first (or any other base), and it goes out of bounds, all runners are entitled to one base on the bad throw. If you throw to first while your pivot foot is on the rubber, and the ball goes out of bounds, the runners get two bases.

Comments

[Mike]

"If you step back off the rubber with your pivot foot and then make a bad throw to first (or any other base), and it goes out of bounds, all runners are entitled to one base on the bad throw. If you throw to first while your pivot foot is on the rubber, and the ball goes out of bounds, the runners get two bases."

I am sure you are aware by now, this comment is reversed. Two bases on overthrow if you're off the rubber (just like any other infielder, and one base if thrown from the rubber....

[Steven Ellis]

Awesome! Thanks for the clarification, Mike.

Steven

[bigyaz]

"If your non pivot foot goes behind the rubber as you lift your leg into the balance position, you must throw to the plate"

...or continue and throw to second base to attempt a pickoff.