IBRS: the balk

IBRS. Bringing to light some of the lesser known and misunderstood rules of the great American pastime.

Here's my best attempt at explaining a situation that always has me scratching my head, the balk.

pivot foot - the foot on which the pitcher pivots before throwing (right foot for a right-handed pitcher)

free foot - the foot on which the pitcher falls or places his weight during delivery of the pitch (left foot for a right-handed pitcher)

the rubber - the "pitcher's plate" on top of the mound

the stretch - first part of Set when the pitcher may lean in (or "stretch") toward home to get signs from the catcher, or make whatever preliminary motions are necessary for his pitch

delivery - when the pitcher comes set and throws the pitch

coming set - the beginning of the delivery, usually marked when the pitcher brings his hands together in front of his body

time of pitch - when the pitcher makes a move toward home plate after coming set

release - when the pitcher throws the ball

The 2 possible pitching positions are:

Option (1) SET - the pitcher stands with his toes pointed toward 1B or 3B (depending on his handedness; a LHP would have his feet pointed toward first, a RHP toward 3B)

The pitcher begins SET with one hand at his side.

He then comes SET (bringing his hands together in front of his body), his pivot foot in contact with the rubber, and his free foot in front of (on the HP side of) the rubber. This is SET position.

He may then go to STRETCH.

He must then come to a complete stop with the ball in both hands in front of his body (basically returning to SET position). The stop may be considered optional if there are no baserunners.

He can then either deliver the pitch, throw to a base, or take a step off the rubber with his pivot foot.

Once the pitcher has reached the time of pitch, or in other words, once he makes a move toward home, he must complete the pitch.

Option (2) WIND-UP - the pitcher stands with his toes pointed toward home plate (This position tends to take longer and the pitcher risks a stolen base if there is a baserunner. Many pitchers will vary their choice based on the presence or absence of baserunners.)

The pitcher's pivot foot must be on the rubber, with both hands holding the ball in front of his body. This is WIND-UP position.

He takes signs from the catcher while in position.

He can then either deliver the pitch, throw to a base, or take a step off the rubber with his pivot foot.

His pivot foot must not leave the ground. During delivery he can take a step backward and a step toward home with his free foot.

There is NO set or stretch position with the WIND-UP.

Again, once the pitcher makes a move toward home, he must complete the pitch.

The purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deceiving any or all baserunners. Therefore, the umpire can make a judgment call based on what he interprets the pitcher's intent to be.
The umpire may call a balk if there are runners on and the pitcher:

(while touching the rubber) makes any motion associated with his pitch and then doesn't pitch. (You could also say that if he makes any motion associated with pitching in general and doesn't throw the pitch, it is a balk.)

(while touching the rubber) fakes to first with no throw. (I don't really know how you fake to first with a throw. It's not really a fake then, is it?)

(while touching the rubber) throws to a base without stepping toward that base first. (Just because he steps, though, doesn't mean he has to throw.)

(while touching the rubber) throws (or fakes a throw) to an unoccupied base. (However, if there's a runner on first, the pitcher can turn 180 degrees and throw to second, presumably because if the runner attempts to steal, he would end up at second. Otherwise, the purpose of throwing to an unoccupied base might be delaying the game, see below.)

makes an illegal pitch. (Like a quick pitch. That's basically just a balk when there's no one on base.)

throws the pitch without looking at the batter. (Tricky... Might be more impressive if he threw the pitch without looking at the catcher.)

attempts to pitch while not in contact with the rubber. (That means any motion associated with pitching.)

delays the game. (There's some silly 12-second rule pertaining to how long the pitcher can make the batter stand in the box. I think, though, that this only applies with the bases empty. See: throwing to an unoccupied base, above.)

SETs to pitch without having a ball. (Even just getting that look in his eyes...)

(while touching the rubber) drops the ball. (Either on purpose or by accident. If the ball slips out of his hand and rolls foul, it is a ball if the bases are empty and a balk if there are runners.)

(while in position) removes one hand from the ball (for any reason other than throwing the ball).

(while intentionally walking a batter) throws to the catcher who is outside the catcher's box.

(while pitching from the SET position) does not come to a complete stop.

The penalty:

The baserunner(s) will advance one base.

For the complete list of rules and semi-decent explanations, head over to MLB.com and check out the official rules for pitchers.

I'm no expert. Hell, I'm not even reasonably well-educated when it comes to this stuff. If I've erred or just plain screwed up, let me know or just ignore it.

IBRS: infield fly

IBRS = Interesting Baseball Rules Series. 

Bringing to light some of the lesser known and misunderstood rules of the great American pastime. 

Whether or not it's actually interesting, well that's debatable. It's just my way of filling the space. (Actually, it's more about the rules being interesting than my perspective on them.) 

Here's a quick overview of one of the more difficult to understand rules in the game, the infield fly.

The infield fly rule (IFR) only applies with fewer than two outs.

The IFR is designed to prevent infielders from creating a double (or triple) play situation by dropping an easily caught popped-up ball. Therefore, if there are already two outs, the IFR is not applicable (because it is unnecessary).

It applies when there are runners on first and second OR when the bases are loaded.

The reason for this is that there MUST be a force play possible at third base. If there's only a runner on first, the IFR doesn't apply because there is not a realistic double play that could be made.

The ball must be fair.

If the ball drops in foul territory the batter is NOT out.

The ball does not have to be caught in the infield.

If the umpire calls for the IFR, the batter is out UNLESS the ball drops in foul territory. It may be caught in foul territory, or it may drop or be caught anywhere in fair territory.

The ball does NOT have to be caught.

If the umpire calls for the IFR, the batter is out UNLESS the ball drops in foul territory.

The ball must be "catchable with ordinary effort."

That means that if the infielder has to dive, run, or make some kind of spectacular effort to get to the ball, the umpire can decide the IFR doesn't apply.

The runners CAN advance on the play.

Since the IFR only applies with fewer than two out, the runners may tag up (if the ball is caught) or just run (if it drops fair) and take a base. The force play does not apply (since the batter is already out) and the infielder must tag the runner to get the out.

The umpire has to call for the IFR.

He may call "Infield fly, batter's out," or "Infield fly if fair," to indicate that the runners should tag up.

The IFR does not apply to popped-up bunts or line drives.

There is another rule that prevents infielders from intentionally dropping line drives in order to turn a double play. The Intentional Dropping Rule (6.05L) states that an infielder cannot touch the ball (in a line drive situation) and then drop it so as to force a double play.

Coming up next: The balk.