MLB Game Losing Balks

[@denelson83]

i.e., "Balk-offs".

[@franciscomarquez3678]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@josefelixproductions6701]

Ha

[@robprator5890]

I thought I knew what a balk was… and then I came here and realized that if you stand perfectly still, like a statue, you can balk just as easy as a pitcher pump-faking.

[@chriswells506]

And yet none of them were perfectly still.

[@billcarson6954]

I still don’t understand the first one

[@123SEA1]

@@billcarson6954 Basically any deviation from the normal windup ( and even sometimes then) can be called a balk, it's all umpires discretion

[@XXelpollodiabloXX]

@@billcarson6954 You are allowed one preliminary move prior to coming set. This is typically some form of the stretch, but not always. But once you begin your motion to come set (that is, bringing your hands together) you must complete it without interruption. This is sometimes called a "start-stop" balk.

[@afrophoenix3111]

NFL has "What is a catch?" MLB has "What is a balk?"

[@Nickrj3]

Charlie Brown once balked in the tying and winning runs.

[@adanalyst6925]

Haha I’ve read that one

[@arianebolt1575]

I question them ever getting in a winning position.

[@MH_0015]

I've watched baseball for over 20 years... And I still don't know what a balk is! 😂

[@mrdavid0814]

A balk is when a pitcher aims directly at home plate getting ready to pitch and then proceeds to either throw the ball to another base or fail to throw the pitch directly to home.

[@BachBeethovenBerg]

@@mrdavid0814 Sorta. The spirit of the rule is that the pitcher can't deceive a baserunner by making them think they're going home and then picking them off. There's all sorts of technicalities written into the rules, but when pitching from the set, which is what pitchers are doing 99.99% of the time when runners are on base you have to come to a complete stop (or come set) before you throw.

[@ahtartersauce101]

- one continuous motion from sign to set (hands together) - stay still (at least a second) with only head movements to look, no shoulders or leg twitches. - A distinct and continuous motion to pick-off or pitch (pick a foot, front lift= pitch/ unless 1st base for lefties, back foot = pick-off. Any violation in any part of the sequence = balk.

[@Slapjabber]

Just like Rugby and Cricket.

[@dtecum]

A balk is deception by the pitcher

[@cinci4life116]

Several comments on the first clip from Rays/Reds saying it's not a balk. Well it's 100% a balk. Thing is you need to have seen his 11 other pitches to get it. You probably notice the glove tap on his leg. That was part of every going to set from the other 11 pitches. He would do that and immediately bring glove and ball together in front of him. On this one he does the glove tap which is an indication to the umps that he started his going to set but drops the glove back down to his leg. That is a start and stop which is a textbook balk.

[@nomercyinc6783]

previous pitches dont mean shit on the next one

[@cinci4life116]

@@nomercyinc6783 It absolutely does especially when he does the same thing going from stretch to set over and over every single time.

[@ordaineddoodle4970]

I love how pissed the umpires look when they call balks!

[@Fzzt2]

Royals- “if I had a nickel for every balk off we’ve had in 2023 I would have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot but it’s weird it happened twice”

[@OhBoiCJ]

King of Balks baby

[@machinesofgod]

I was at the Padres-Giants game when that happened. As a Giants fan, I was like wtf just happened? Pretty funny looking back on it though 😅

[@stefanjentoft8107]

Fun fact: first ever walk-off at Target Field (Twins) was on a wild pitch.

[@absolutetuber]

Calling a balk is an umps favorite, especially a walk-off balk. Just watch em😂 “TImE!!!! TiMe!!! THaTs ILlegal!! PiTChEr, you CAnnoT Do That!!! hOlY SHIt THat was IllEGal!!!! You…rUnnEr!!!! Runner: me? Ump: Yes!!! yOu!!!! gEt oVEr hEre to hoMe plaTE!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nortoncancellation]

That is so true!

[@TheDrewdrewdrewdrew]

Find you someone who is as enthusiastic about spending time with you as umpires are about calling a walk-off balk. 🤣

[@BachBeethovenBerg]

Balking in the winning run has gotta be the worst possible way to lose.

[@vincentwendt720]

The only thing worse I can think of is losing the game on a dropped third strike.

[@BachBeethovenBerg]

@@vincentwendt720 I don't know, while that's pretty bad, I think balking in the winning run is even worse, IMHO

[@msu15]

Holy crap you're still making videos! Been a long time since I've been here lol

[@robertbeaudoin3755]

I remember the Brewers win on a balk. Not often do we see that.

[@certifiedfnhater4038]

The first one seems like he’s telling the catcher to give him signs again.

[@Mitten4371]

I pitched from little league to highschool and at age 13 I played travel baseball for coaches that played pro or college. But each and everyone of these is a balk and I threw left-handed and the rules are that as a lefty your front foot can't crossover the rubber and throw to first base because it is a balk. But you also can't step towards home plate and throw to first because that is also a balk but you have a 45 degree angle to work with. So that means a left-handed pitcher can throw to first as long as he stays within that 45 degree angle from first base to the dugout. But that's what makes it difficult for runners to steal bases because you have pitchers out there who are very good and it makes it tough for runners to run on lefties. Because you are taught as base runners to read that pitcher whether it's a righty or lefty and what they are reading is. Do they have a high leg kick? Do they have a slide step when delivering to the plate in the stretch position? Do they have quick feet when throwing to first? So a lot of that plays in what runners can do on the bases because if pitchers are paying attention the runners and are mixing up their moves well they can be difficult to run on. But pitchers are not just trying to pick them off but just to shorten their lead at whatever base that they are at

[@Neurotik51]

that last one lol the catcher knew it immediately

[@frankfrank1364]

Balk Rules You can't just be up there and just doin' a balk like that. 1a. A balk is when you 1b. Okay well listen. A balk is when you balk the 1c. Let me start over 1c-a. The pitcher is not allowed to do a motion to the, uh, batter, that prohibits the batter from doing, you know, just trying to hit the ball. You can't do that. 1c-b. Once the pitcher is in the stretch, he can't be over here and say to the runner, like, "I'm gonna get ya! I'm gonna tag you out! You better watch your butt!" and then just be like he didn't even do that. 1c-b(1). Like, if you're about to pitch and then don't pitch, you have to still pitch. You cannot not pitch. Does that make any sense? 1c-b(2). You gotta be, throwing motion of the ball, and then, until you just throw it. 1c-b(2)-a. Okay, well, you can have the ball up here, like this, but then there's the balk you gotta think about. 1c-b(2)-b. Fairuza Balk hasn't been in any movies in forever. I hope she wasn't typecast as that racist lady in American History X. 1c-b(2)-b(i). Oh wait, she was in The Waterboy too! That would be even worse. 1c-b(2)-b(ii). "get in mah bellah" -- Adam Water, "The Waterboy." Haha, classic... 1c-b(3). Okay seriously though. A balk is when the pitcher makes a movement that, as determined by, when you do a move involving the baseball and field of 2) Do not do a balk please.

[@XXelpollodiabloXX]

This is my favorite of all time. I may have said this once or twice while calling games. I especially love 1c-b(2).

[@SvendleBerries]

Yeah, but what about, ya know...I mean, are there coupons for free balks?

[@motherlanddarrenssessions]

2:27 2:28 2:29 2:30 2:31 2:32 Oh, no! A BALK! And that means the ball game is over! 😊😊😊😊

[@jimgray3346]

Notice the announcers never coherently explain the balk in the replays because no one knows what a balk even is. In general, it is agreed that you can't change up your pattern after coming set and not throw home; you can't make a motion towards home and not throw home, but even then those are super vague and very subjective. IMO the balk rules are more troublesome than anything and should be eliminated

[@scentlessapprentice8508]

crazy how this happens so often that there's a compilation

[@ahapka]

Roughly 2,430 regular games per season. It’s pretty rare.

[@Professionalcoolguy]

How is the brewers one a balk? Explain to me like I’m 5. I feel like it’s borderline at best as the pitcher doesn’t motion home at any point right? He’s looking towards home plate but that’s it. Did he need to step off or something?

[@aaroncostello8812]

Balk-offs are crazy. 😂

[@AdamJ617]

I remember once the Marlins won off of a balk. Have the Red Sox ever won off of one?

[@crazyman7671]

This ONE call is why i dont think i could be an Ump.

[@scottdecker9115]

0:20- That was NOT a balk! 0:44- Now THAT is a balk!! 1:04- YOU make the call. 1:35- That is a balk. He started his motion, then stopped, but not by much. 2:27- That is a balk. He didn't toss to 1B, he wound up and threw there. It's the Mark Beuhrle balk rule. 3:35- That is NOT a balk. He didn't even start his motion. He may have flinched, but this isn't football where they whistle you for being offside. Overall, the umpires went 4/6 in this video in my view. Bottom line: They really need to better define the parameters of what IS a balk and what is NOT.

[@aaronaguilar9172]

1:05 how was that a balk? all he did was step off, stepping off isn’t a balk

[@dynamicvoltage9765]

Before he stepped off he lowered his hands as if he was about to go to the plate. You can't do that. You have to step off before you make a move like that.

[@TCMKingGT]

“Balk game over”

[@swagmuffin9000]

Wait.. you can't move your glove when you're taking a sign? I understand if you're in the process of coming set, but that first one was bad

[@pomerlain8924]

He started and stopped his motion. In his previous pitches, he would tap his glove on his leg, which indicated and then bring the ball and glove together. This time, he tapped his glove, indicating that's he's set, but then brought the glove back down to his leg, which is a start and stop, which is a balk.

[@rubencamposlopez]

After all of this, i still don't understand what is a Balk. Is a false move, an ilegal move, a flinch, or what? I'm starting to see MLB, but i don't understand this rule. Somenone can explain it to me?

[@Alboalt]

All of that. Bascially any kind of move that could deceive baserunners, even the tinest. It's a simple rule but hard for the average person to detect.

[@OriginalCoastalDistancing]

Wrong.

[@NekoMMDGTS]

It's anything the umpires want to call for moving incorrectly it feels like. I don't even fully understand it but supposedly you can't move incorrectly when preparing to pitch or it counts as 'deceiving the runners'. The annoying thing is it gets called for shit that clearly isn't an intentional deception.

[@jeremygeller9145]

One a pitcher motions towards the plate he is not allowed to change that motion, basically you cant fake a pitch (like a pump fake in football) thats the intended but in practice if a pitcher makes a slight deviation after motioning towards the plate he can get rung up. pitchers can step off the mound or be standing and step off but once they make a move towards the plate they are committed to throwing a pitch

[@dtecum]

A state of deception by the pitcher

[@TheForeverRanger]

The Royals won two games on a Balk-off last year. If you do a part two both should be on there.

[@shepardbook]

What a way to take the walk of shame.

[@Zielb]

Bro that second clip sounds so disorienting

[@axesoccer7887]

2018 Northwest League Championship, Spokane Indians pitcher balked with bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, giving the Eugene Emeralds their 2nd league championship in 3 years.

[@Garvin1116]

I was at two of these games. Dodgers-Rangers & Mariners-Dodgers.

[@JWISKI2010]

What if you accidentally shit yourself all over the mound but don't twitch your glove, is it still a balk?

[@MH_0015]

Uh... A balk is probably the least of my concerns since I SHAT MYSELF!

[@dtecum]

Umpires should be able to toss a flag in the air when calling a balk to eliminate any confusion as why play is stopped

[@Chugins]

What's the first balk-off in history?

[@dalechristensen9268]

i had no idea americans spell it "balk"

[@prun8893]

First one..............no balk. Second one.........most obvious balk ever.

[@pomerlain8924]

First one was a balk, based on the previous pitches he had thrown.

[@jasonserna8762]

Does the batter get credited for a RBI on a Balk with a runner on third?

[@aaronaguilar9172]

nope , a runner scoring on a balk has nothing to do with the batter

[@RangersNation-qk4px]

You should’ve added the Mets vs Royals walk-off Balk.

[@motherlanddarrenssessions]

3:12 3:13 3:14 3:15 BALK! 😊😊😊😊

[@Zmarcobustallis]

It has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with “deceiving the runner.” That term does not appear anywhere in the rules. Complete myth.

[@Calibrex_Gaming]

Except for the first , all calls were on point and correct

[@SamtheBravesFan]

Wisler twitched his glove, that's a balk.

[@RatatRatR]

@@SamtheBravesFan Why?

[@gu244]

​​@@RatatRatR because once you are set for the pitch all you can do is your pitch form or throw to a base, anything else is a balk basically

[@ahtartersauce101]

@@gu244 but thats not set. Hands not together. I didnt get that either

[@JM-mp4dm]

@@ahtartersauce101because he started his motion. Once you start you have to set. You can’t start your motion twice. He twitched his glove and didn’t set so that’s why it’s a balk

[@hendomac20]

So chances are if it’s an inter league game it’ll end in a walk off balk. Lol

[@arsenalfanatic09]

2:23 is the balkiest balk I've seen in my life, how did he expect to get away with that lmao

[@aaronaguilar9172]

how? his leg never went towards home plate

[@JoshSports4life]

Batters can move the bat but pitchers cant move the glove?

[@michaelpowell5266]

Believe it or not, just like in baseball, this kind of thing also happens in women's fastpitch, especially when the ball is not released from the pitcher. Logically, how can an illegal pitch be called on a ball that isn't released? Call it for what it is, in fact pitch, it's delay of game, but in baseball, the most definitive description, a balk!!!

[@alphonse2234]

Baseball has some of the dumbest rules. Not sure why people watch it.

[@Bix25]

Can anyone explain me this rule? (I dont know anything about baseball)

[@woebegone_jabroni]

Basically if the pitcher makes any movement that's not just throwing the pitch it's considered a balk and everyone advances one base

[@glonik10]

esentially once you get into your motion of throwing a pitch you need to finish the pitch. it could literally be lowering your hands, (if thats how you start your pitching motion)

[@repealthepatriotact]

Welcome to the dumbest rule in baseball. Even a tiny movement can lose the game. It needs to change so when there are runners on base the pitcher can hold runners on base better with minor movements before they pitch.

[@ParadiseCity1329]

New MLB fan here. What the hell is a balk?

[@thatoneguy9666]

Old baseball fan here, still no idea

[@YoureWatchingMyWorld]

A penalty issued against a pitcher when he makes too much physical movements on the mound. The pros must control that

[@dtecum]

A state of deception by the pitcher

[@bluesdjben]

I was at the Casilla game. Fun to see such a rare event in baseball history.

[@rsybing]

Not a single pitch in this entire video😂

[@rsybing]

@@nakedfreak1 read it. Still accurate.

[@Calibrex_Gaming]

That’s the point of a balk….what did you expect

[@rsybing]

@@Calibrex_Gaming just thought it was interesting. Have I offended you? I want to make you feel better and less upset, what do you need?

[@Calibrex_Gaming]

@@rsybing such an odd reply and back pedaling. Odd due to the assumptions you attempt to make along with the multiple fallacies.

[@rsybing]

@@Calibrex_Gaming still mad? Why? Talk to me, man, tell me who hurt you

[@ricksaunders8074]

Ive never know what a balk is Thats why im not a ump

[@JeffreyMorgan-q7s]

A balk should only be called if the pitcher is trying to deceive the runner, I understand according to the rules these were balks but making the pitcher remain perfectly still when he comes set is ridiculous, suppose he has to sneeze or cough. Another dumb baseball rule.

[@HawksDiesel]

what a horrible thing in a game....

[@cstick2664]

So is a balk just like, whatever the umpire feels like?

[@enoughunwa]

Nope. All of these were legit balks. Clearly you don't watch or ever have played baseball

[@YoureWatchingMyWorld]

@@enoughunwaDick

[@JM-mp4dm]

These were all clearly balks.

[@YoureWatchingMyWorld]

@@enoughunwa Ha, what a DlCK!

[@nytetime4u673]

What’s a balk

[@tiberiuslamar]

Giants fans thank you for putting a Dodgers loss right after the Giants

[@TheRealPapaChico]

They need a rule change. It shouldn't be a balk if there is no action happening. Slight tiny movements before a wind up shouldn't be a balk.

[@JoeAltDelete]

How often does this happen for it to be a serious issue that requires a rule change?

[@TheRealPapaChico]

@@JoeAltDelete 8 times too many a game.

[@jeffkerr7418]

Totally ridiculous rule and worse to call it.

[@chriswells506]

Every single one was the right call.

[@Calibrex_Gaming]

Except for the first.

[@chriswells506]

​@calibrexdaoc Absolutely was. You can't do that with your glove while on the rubber. If you dont normally do it in your delivery, you can't suddenly do it. That's a balk. What's funny is him then stepping off the rubber after it happened.😅

[@undertakerfanz628]

So embarrassing😂

[@UndertakerU2ber]

Some of these aren't even balks. Like wtf?

[@alanhess9306]

All of these are balks.

[@UndertakerU2ber]

@@alanhess9306 Nope

[@alanhess9306]

@@UndertakerU2ber I saw balks on every clip. Tell us, which ones were wrong.

[@UndertakerU2ber]

⁠@@alanhess9306 “I saw balks on every clip” Then you need to speak to your optometrist. The KZbin comment section can’t provide the help you need.

[@alanhess9306]

@@UndertakerU2ber I don't need help and my eyesight is fine. I have been umpiring for over 30 years and I know a balk when I see one. You apparently don't know what constitutes a balk. You casual, clueless fans are hilarious with your ignorance.

[@santiagomartinez2221]

One of the dumbest rules in baseball imo

[@caseyowen17]

This rule is kinda lame

[@abecx]

Without it you’d never see a stolen base

[@bloodwrage]

​@@abecxYou might with the regarded new pitching rules

[@hungryair15]

​@@abecxstealing bases is a stupid part of baseball anyway. Shouldn't be allowed in the first place.

[@XXelpollodiabloXX]

@@hungryair15 Um...why not?

[@山田太郎-v1d5u]

@@hungryair15盗塁がなかったらランナーとの駆け引きもなくなるし、試合中のアクションが減ってゲームがシンプルになりすぎる。そっちの方がつまんなくなるやろ。

[@jamedlock83]

Balks are dumb calls. . They need to be taken out of the rules

[@tomk_umpirePL]

Your comment is dumb. Without balks the base stealing conversion rate would drop to something like 20%, at best because pitchers would f*** with the runners, just by doing some absolutely stupid stuff on the mound. That would be Nestor Cortez antics but 20 times more stupid.

[@xjm23]

This is the most stupid rule ever

[@quinn-tessential3232]

Anyone else hate last year's MLB rule changes? It felt like their goal was to fit the same number of commercial breaks into a shorter broadcast. It wasn't about "fixing" the game. It was about fattening their bottom lines. The pitch clock combined with restricting the number of throws to 1st base has dramatically favored baserunners to the point that base-stealing statistics from 2023 forward cannot be compared with any numbers from the past. Any records set in 2023 and beyond need an asterisk.

[@JoeAltDelete]

The pitch clock and limited pick offs has sped up the game thankfully, baseball games arent meant to be +3 hours long of failed pick offs, ball scratching, and players adjusting their gloves every five seconds to slow the game down.

[@JoeAltDelete]

Batting records after the year of the pitcher need an asterisk. Asterisks are stupid to put on sports which change all the time from their inception

[@jasong6027]

such a pathetic fucking rule