The BALK in baseball. Test your knowledge.

[@standyer7482]

This is a good review. I understand a lot of those balks not being called. Geez, an umpire could spend all day calling balks in a Youth League game if he gets too technical. On the other hand, the umpire can't let pitchers get away with too much, either. My suggestion is to watch a lot of these balk videos to ingrain the image of a balk in your mind. Then, when you go to a game, pay closer scrutiny early on not only so you don't miss something early, and then call it later on, but also to put teams on notice that you are paying attention. Watching these videos, whether you see the balk or not, really does help. It's like getting extra experience.

[@goodmaro]

I've been watching your videos for some weeks now, and I just have to say one of the highlights is that Southern player jumping up and down. He's adorable. I don't coach, officiate, or play baseball, and I don't have any children, but I have been coaching children in football for over a decade, and what you illustrated in that clip is one of the reasons I do it. The sheer enthusiasm of children at play is a joy to behold and facilitate, and some of it rubs off.

[@MJHBaseball]

Thanks. And that is why that clip has been in every intro since the channel started. At least I think it is.

[@DarianCaplinger]

Great video as always, bro. When I was a 10+ umpire, I only ever called balk on two occasions. The first was a pitcher who went full motion, but failed to release the ball (glaring balk). The second was due to a stutter step when the pitcher took his foot off the rubber twice during his setup and delivery. It's never fun having to call a balk on kids, because they are still in the learning stage of the game. Conversely, it's also the best time to introduce them to the rule so as to help break them of bad habits as they grow into the game.

[@stevehamman4465]

Darian, I get what your saying. Have to call a lot of stuff but depending on the age bracket. We considered it , the regular season as practice for the tournaments. They usually call everything during tournaments.

[@keithyoungs9435]

Here's the thing about the double set. Most umpires will not call it if you do it every time

[@Big_T51]

You are doing good work. Now how do we get parents to watch it.?

[@XXelpollodiabloXX]

Oh God, please yes. In a game the other day I finally got sick of one parent yelling about how something that the pitcher was doing was a balk (he not coming set with nobody on base), so I finally just went and talked to him between innings to explain it to him. I need to start printing up handouts to give to them.

[@davej3781]

#13 - a lot of people, including lower-level umpires, don't realize that a jump-turn (usually by a RH pitcher to 1B) is NOT considered stepping off, even though he does in fact end up off the rubber; he's still a pitcher when the move starts, so he must complete the move as a pitcher.

[@keithyoungs9435]

Here's a weird one. I think you can do the spin move to second and not have to throw it

[@davej3781]

@@keithyoungs9435 correct, because you can legally feint to 2B in all rulesets

[@keithyoungs9435]

@@davej3781 third just had a rule change in the pros

[@davej3781]

@@keithyoungs9435 yes, feint to 3B is now legal only in NFHS and Little League (upper divisions of course). I think it was 4 or 5 years ago now that OBR made the change, I think ncaa followed quickly

[@cl4tch88]

That intro always gets me 😂 Love your videos.

[@bobkmac]

Trying to wrap my head around the "balk" makes me feel like Towelie from southpark.

[@FactsMatter]

Good video. Well done.

[@terencelavigne9626]

Just found your channel. Loving the in depth explanation of rules and various situations where they apply. I have a strange one for you. Ground ball fielded by shortstop, his throw to first was in the dirt. First base scooped the ball, bobbled and dropped it. Then sprawled and grabbed the loose ball in the bare hand and reached over and tagged the bag with the gloved hand. Ball was controlled in bare hand, bag was tagged in time, but the empty glove is what tagged the base. Umps couldn't decide on whether the glove was an extension of the body and therefore a legal contact with the bag or if the fact it was empty disallowed it from tagging the base. I know you cant tag a runner with an empty glove. But you cant tag them with a cleat or empty hand either, but these can legally contact the bag. Only rule I can find states that any part of the body can touch the bag, but never defines an empty glove as part of the body or not. Hope you can help.

[@MJHBaseball]

This would be an out. The glove is considered a part of the players body and equipment.

[@terencelavigne9626]

@@MJHBaseball that was my take as well. I just couldn't cite a specific rule

[@TheSpeyfisher]

Excellent video and explanation!!! The only criticism would be is to show then do it in slow motion or stop so you can see it more clearly! Thank you

[@CrimsonThunderSB]

5:15 there are actually 2 balks there, the double set and the pickoff throw the 2nd during the actual wind up to pitch

[@65howardhuskies38]

I had a balk called on me and I knew it was but I was on the mound and there was a wasp right next to my face and I turned so I didn't get stung

[@jonr1127]

I love the videos. Can you do a video on dropped strike 3. I see so much confusion, and I often hear different responses if 1st base is occupoied.

[@MJHBaseball]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJjHh2Z8jrJggNk

[@parkytimeyaaasss]

I usually call the one in the set position lol. To add on to the balk rule, the only way that an umpire knows that the pitcher is trying to deceive the runner is if they had telekinetic powers. The mindset is, could it have deceived the runner(s) more than are they trying to

[@MJHBaseball]

I like that way of looking at it better. Much better way to word it. (How you said it.)

[@jarredslama5602]

Let’s say it’s 1990 and your 10 years old playing in the CABA nationals. It’s the championship game and the score is tied in the last inning with 2 outs and a runner on 3rd base. Your team is playing the Hawaii Rainbows who have a pitcher that is 3x the size of everyone on your team and is throwing straight smoke and putting up K’s in bunches. With 2 strikes on the batter - his fate was all but sealed. Then pitcher goes to mow him down but suddenly he stops halfway thru his motion and freezes up like a deer in headlights. It’s an obvious balk and the runner on third is awarded home for the win and your team is national champions. The replay would show the third base coach and base runner pulled the perfect fake steal. As soon as the pitcher starts his motion, the base runner broke towards home like he was going on a suicide mission while the coach shouted “GO! GO! GOOOOO GO!” thus causing the 10 year old giant on the mound to mentally shut it down. Here’s my question…Was this illegal or brilliant coaching?

[@MJHBaseball]

I wouldn't deem it illegal. But not sure about the brilliant coaching or not? If the pitcher was in the wind up (which some pitchers do with a runner on 3rd), the straight steal of home on the pitch isn't unheard of. The coach may likely have thought he had a better chance just trying to steal home in this situation than trusting his batter to get a hit. It'd be difficult to make an argument that the coach was trying to intentionally cause the pitcher to balk.

[@johngrattan302]

Good video👍

[@nickdemoss6256]

Is it a balk if a right handed pitcher goes from the wind up, steps off with his right foot first (which is legal to disengage from rubber), and then lifts left leg like he still intends to throw it home even though he isn’t going to? Once he steps off the rubber is he free to do anything he wants, or is this deceiving the runner even though he is no longer in contact with the rubber?

[@davej3781]

1:35 - by current interpretation, throwing to an unoccupied base is not a balk if it's a legitimate attempt to put out or drive back a runner, even if the runner only faked towards the base. That said, I do agree that stepping off is better, then you're not depending on the umpire's knowledge of the proper application of the rules, nor of his interpretation as to whether the runner made a convincing move to advance or just a head-fake.

[@67L48]

The problem with stepping off is that the runner is looking for that move and easily retreats back to 1B. However, the move the baserunner is looking for is front leg movement. Usually, the runner will go on that movement, mistakenly believing that it's committing the pitcher to throw home. So, lifting and spinning back to unoccupied 2B would be super effective at the younger ages where a stolen 2B is almost a given. The only problem is that I'd bet my paycheck that it would improperly be called a balk.

[@stevehamman4465]

@@67L48 , with a runner on first , the pitcher MUst disengage the rubber to throw to second. Cause second base is unoccupied.

[@67L48]

@@stevehamman4465 That's patently false and you need to read the rules before commenting on them. NFHS Rule 6-2 Art. 4 (b). Or, if you think these kids are playing in the MLB, you could use OBR 8.05(d). You can absolutely throw to unoccupied bases without it being a balk, just as Dave J said in the OP above.

[@BigD509631]

The pitcher need not step off the rubber to throw to third if there is a runner attempting to steal. The "unoccupied" component is removed because he is making a play on R2.

[@dougthegreat1808]

good job with your commentary

[@patrickmcgraw3435]

I didn't know that high school had different rules. I am familiar with the delayed balk call. Kind of like a free play for the offense, but I was unaware that it didn't exist in high school. Is this new or has it always been like that?

[@dillonbergmann3489]

It’s been that way since 1985.

[@brettlawton9513]

He misses the easy balk call @ 2:20 because he's wearing jeans with his leg guards on the outside 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤣‼️ @9:10 that's a terrible call you're correct he came to a discernable stop!!!

[@MJHBaseball]

LOL. 2:20 was a scrimmage that occurred when 2 teams showed up to practice on the same field. Due to the 2020 crap, the fields were not reserved or "officially" open, but they made it pretty clear that no one would be kicked out for using them for their intended purpose. So the umpire is someone who had gear in his car and threw it on last minute since teams decided why not just scrimmage. Otherwise, you are right...Jeans is a no, no for umpires.

[@nicholasgilio9036]

I see how the second one is a balk He stepped forward with his left then stepped off with his right then threw the ball it’s happened to me in my games a lot but the umpires have’nt noticed it

[@avsfan331940]

5:56 - Is the jumpspin always considered a throw directly from the rubber, or are there rule sets that identify it as a disengagement of the rubber?

[@SomeSortOfLandCow]

I can't speak to all rulesets, but as he mentions on the video OBR stipulate that the only way to step off the rubber is to step directly back, so I would be pretty surprised if a spin move was considered stepping off in any rules.

[@davej3781]

there's no ruleset I'm aware of where a jump-turn/jumpspin is considered disengaging; thus you can't feint to 1B with a jump-turn

[@aaron_baggett]

The pitcher in clip #21 never came set, right?

[@MJHBaseball]

Unsure. Hard to see from camera angle. I assume that's the issue the 3rd base coach had with this.

[@stevennihipali3607]

11, want the a pitch but turn around? I'm forgetting what that's called

[@MJHBaseball]

start stop

[@davej3781]

#18 - I tend to be pretty lenient about what the pitcher does before coming set, but that one I'd pretty surely call #19 - I seriously doubt I'd call that one, I think that would be covered by my long time mentor's advice: "No C.S.B.s!" (Chicken-shit Balks) always remember, the balk rule is meant to prevent the pitcher from unfairly deceiving the runner(s), NOT to give the offense free bases whenever the pitcher has imperfect mechanics. Consider also OBR Rule 6.02(a ) Comment: "Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk rule is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire’s mind, the “intent” of the pitcher should govern."

[@davej3781]

ah, I sometimes comment while still watching the video, and quoted 6.02(a) Comment immediately prior to discovering MJH quoted it in the video himself.

[@robertbrown7470]

Calling a Balk because the pitcher deceived the runner is a basis for a Protest.

[@nathan_2758]

3:16 how windy was it there

[@MJHBaseball]

Windy enough for a fastball to look like a slider.

[@midevilmayhem8334]

balks should be allowed as a trick play if they are not allowed then every time a player fakes a throwback to a pitcher to fake a player on base to get them out should also be called a balk

[@stevebabiak6997]

Here’s a good oddity from a pitcher; what’s your call? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iai1nJVsapyir9E

[@MJHBaseball]

I've seen a lot of discussion on this video. Regardless of what anyone else says, this will NOT happen in a game I umpire. A pitcher tried it and no runners on so I called time before the pitch and warned him. His coach did the same. If you want to discuss if it's technically a legal pitch, you can check out CloseCallSports. They cover it in detail on that video. I don't let this type of crap happen and if you don't like it, find another umpire.

[@keithyoungs9435]

I hate umpires who make you wait set 3 seconds before pitching

[@stevennihipali3607]

I did not know 24

[@robertbrown7470]

Deceiving the runner is a bad phrase. You have no basis for calling a balk because the pitcher deceived the runner. The pitcher should deceive the runner, just don't balk while doing it. No such balk. It has to be an illegal move spelled out in the rule book. Otherwise it isn't a balk whether he deceives the runner or not. Had a hidden ball trick in a youth game the other day. Fooled me. Unfortunately, or fortunately really, the ball was dead. The pitcher was nearly on the rubber without the ball. Doesn't matter because the ball is dead. Could have called a delayed balk I suppose (just kidding).

[@MJHBaseball]

No one is saying you call a balk because the pitcher deceived the runner. The issue is, some pitcher moves may technically be a balk, but you don't always call them because he clearly isn't attempting to deceive the runner. The comment is specifically added in the rule book note. Example: a 10U game. A pitcher gets his sign and starts to come up to go into the set position, but he stops half way, looks at the catcher again, then continues to come set. That is a balk. It's not even a question. But this is 10U and the umpire needs to keep in mind, per the rule book note, that he should bear in mind why the rule exists. It's one of the few rules in the rulebook that asks an umpire to know the "spirit of the rule."

[@robertbrown7470]

@@MJHBaseball Have to agree to disagree on that. The pitcher either violates the balk rule or he doesn't. Try this in you next three games and see what happens: Coach, he tried to deceive the runner, it's a balk! PROTEST!

[@MJHBaseball]

"He tried to deceive the runner." That is NOT a balk. I just am not catching anything your commenting on. Who would ever make that comment? Where would that even be in the rules? At no point does the video mention that it's a balk to deceive the runner. There is a difference between that and the rule book saying, [from the LL Rule Book] "Umpires should bear in mind that the purpose of the balk is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. If there is doubt in the umpire's mind, the 'intent' of the pitcher should govern. However, certain specifics should be borne in mind....." I am not getting where you're mention of an umpire claiming "It's a balk because he tried to deceive the runner." A balk is a balk... a specific ACTION done by the pitcher. Maybe watch all 3 volumes of our balk test videos and you'll catch on?

[@robertbrown7470]

@@MJHBaseball I don't know what you're talking about. Putting words in my mouth?

[@こまめ-k5m]

10:52 If you can advance to the base, you will not be a balk

[@mryeetus6075]

bro i cant see anything cause half the videos are so grainy lol

[@tylerbarrett9394]

My only disagreement is with your comment about the throw to an unoccupied base. Rule 6.02(a)(4) says that it is a balk when "The pitcher, while touching his plate, throws, or feints a throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play." The comment goes on to explain "When determining whether the pitcher throws or feints a throw to an unoccupied base for the purpose of making a play, the umpire should consider whether a runner on the previous base demonstrates or otherwise creates an impression of his intent to advance to such unoccupied base." To me, that means that even if the runner fakes the steal attempt, it is not a balk to throw to an unoccupied base if the runner creates an impression of his intent to advance.

[@davej3781]

bonus points for actually citing the rule and comment... usually I'm the big rule cite guy, I was being a little lazy yesterday.

[@67L48]

Exactly! Well said. I remember coaching youth baseball and I always wanted to do this with my pitcher. At 12U (non-travel teams), there really weren't any catchers who could throw down to 2B. So, 99% of the time, on the first pitch movement home, the runner steals 2nd. I always thought a spinning pickoff move to 2B would be deadly, but I never had the guts to call it as a coach. I just assumed it would be called a balk and I'd then lose my cool by being the only one on the field who actually knew the rule.

[@tylerbarrett9394]

@@67L48 You are right that it will likely get called a balk. After I read this rule and thought through it in depth, I discussed it with several different umpires. They all said they would call it a balk, but all hesitated after I read them the comment to the rule. However, if my memory serves me, I remember every singe one of them saying that they would still call it a balk. One of them justified it with the reasoning that when the pitcher lifted his leg, before the runner broke for the steal, the pitcher was intending to go home because there was no play at the unoccupied base. Therefore, he argued that he was committed to going home with the leg lift. If the pitcher was intending to go to the unoccupied base on leg lift, but before the runner broke for the steal, then the motion was made to an unoccupied base at a time when there was no play at the base. On the other hand, if the runner breaks early (e.g., before leg lift), then the pitcher does not need to step off, and can instead throw directly to the unoccupied base.

[@KevinQuinn81]

I say, call that pause coming set at high school varsity and above unless they do somehow fool a runner or gain an advantage in the play.

[@stevennihipali3607]

14 should not be a balk... come on, the kids are learning how to chew gum and walk lol

[@jacobklahn5454]

Second

[@mariovercillo1319]

Good videos, the balk at 8:12, was not a double set, I think he was still moving, very slightly, but still moving The 7:25, BS call as you say, I call those start/stop balks at high school level, and above, coaches expect it, if very, very, minor perhaps not

[@justinmentalewicz3923]

5:30 That may be his natural pitching motion.

[@mptr1783]

so youre ok with it as long as its his normal pitching motion lol?With that logic, as long as he double sets from the 1st pitch, its ok?

[@justinmentalewicz3923]

@@mptr1783 No it’s a balk. I’m saying thats possibly his natural motion. It’s hard to judge that kind of pitch (being a balk)

[@zachansen8293]

6:45 the video is so bad that asking the viewer to determine the balk isn't really fair. Also, the one about the fake throw to first... can't even see the ball the video is so blurry.

[@lancatemujhin696]

How about we just get rid of parents?

[@XxxTheFireEmblemxxX]

11 is a legal spin move.