What is a Balk in Baseball? The Rule Explained.

[@DanBlewett]

My NEW Book, Clean Your Cleats, is Here! Get your copy now 👉 geni.us/clean-your-cleats

[@CIFD8Champs16]

I believe there was a slight mistake... When dropping the ball, I was under the impression that you couldn't be standing on the rubber, but you said it is a balk when you come set, please elaborate.

[@MP-ju4ol]

As an Umpire, this basics approach was very good for youngsters. It’s also nice to know that a player takes time to learn rules. Great job.

[@Rap4Pat]

I've been watching baseball my entire life and never knew how nuanced all these rules were. Thanks for the deep dive!

[@rxlx3995]

This is by far the best comprehensive explanation and mitigation video on balks. We have started a high school program and this will be a gem of baseball training knowledge for our coaching staff and young players.

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it was helpful! I'm actually putting together a resources page on my website so schools can link to it, that will have all my fundamental videos in a big outline. I'll send it out to my email list when it's complete - you can sign up in the description if you're interested. Thanks for watching!

[@janebourscheidt300]

I was unable to watch this

[@PavoNurmi06672]

This is so insanely impressive that he’s talking through this all in a single take. There’s no “ums” or anything. Great explanation and appreciate you putting this together so flawlessly.

[@DanBlewett]

thanks!

[@nicky2coats]

Great point. Rare skill.

[@bobbyjohnstonmusic8260]

Yes, his communication skills are impeccable.

[@Lords_of_Acid_]

I'm 47 years old and this is the first time I've actually ever studied all the balk rules... much more to it than I thought. Very good video, thank you.

[@stevecary7435]

As an Umpire I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation.

[@DanBlewett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mark7817]

Yes - well explained

[@aaronfyfe]

I’m the same, and a newish umpire at that. I’ve warned players when baseball umpiring for balking in the lower levels and half the time the coaches don’t know all the rules then come asking and complaining. This video was really helpful

[@eauhomme]

Yes, outstanding video. Every new umpire, pitcher, and coach should see it. Would have made my earlier umpiring days a lot more smooth.

[@skeeter1302]

@@eauhomme be careful being a new umpire. there are some information here that will get you in trouble.

[@landrews7280]

This video is the clearest explanation of balks available. Should be required watching for pitchers, coaches, and umpires.

[@KLartrandM]

I rarely watch baseball , so this issue of a balk was on espn. I needed to understand what it actually was. Thanks for breaking it down. The first 5 examples from other channels were annoying and left me hanging. Im sure i will forget, but when i need a refresher to the rule. Your content is all i need from now on. Good job 👊🏿

[@mae2759]

1:30 - Great comment! As an umpire, I always try to explain to other umpires that balks aren't about deception. It's about FOLLOWING PROCEDURE and doing things in the way you are supposed to for consistency. It's like a false start in football. Every little flinch isn't always an advantage gained, but we call it anyway because you flinched. Same with balks. Either you did it right, or you didn't.

[@DanBlewett]

100% - thanks for the kind words!

[@ernest1576]

I get it now your explanation and the gentlemen in this video it makes sense now thanks

[@TheWtikaiser]

Ultimately it is about deception. You just have to call anything that could lead to it.

[@FactsMatter]

As an umpire, it is so refreshing to have a player clearly communicate rules accurately. I question #12 though. Still, amazing video.

[@Paaraang]

A huge thanks from South Korea. THE best video on balks. This made the most complicated rule in all sports look simple as abc

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it helped!

[@jayc148]

Thanks for slowing down and mentioning youth baseball and young players because learning young about balks is essential. I umpire and balks is something a try to teach young umpires about with rules and what to watch for without making it complicated .

[@dannybreal]

It's probably been said but as an umpire, this is a great video. I watch it weekly during the season.

[@jmichael34]

Very clear and well explained! I never really understood balks and why they were called, but this video cleared it up for me, and replies to some great questions from others were very helpful as well. Very much appreciated!

[@DanBlewett]

You're very welcome!

[@144Donn]

Finally..I know understand..well let's just say, I get it! Been a baseball fan for 52 years and never truly understood the balk! Thx coach!

[@DanBlewett]

thanks for the kind words!

[@m3nathan]

As an Aussie dad who's 8yo has just started training and will begin playing soon this is a very handy video, thanks very much🙏. 🇭🇲🇺🇸 There's so much to learn and when it's broken down and explained like you've done here it really helps.

[@maleksadri1988]

Honestly not a pitcher or coach just a fan that has never truly understood this completely subjective rule. And this video well explained everything!!!

[@DanBlewett]

its not really that subjective

[@jamesstaton9013]

Thanks for this video. 50 years ago I was called for my one and only balk in little league when I attended to throw out a runner at first and it was never explained to me why I was called for a balk or even what a balk was. Needless to say I never tried to throw out another runner. I had come set and when I started my wind up and and pitch I swung around and threw to first. All I was told was that I couldn't do that. So thanks for this clarity. That balk has bothered me for 50 yhears.

[@paulprovenzano7001]

I loved this comment. To me, it comes from a 'true' competitor. It's not about 'getting over it', it's about 'what?'. Thanks for taking the time to post that, James!

[@wifi-YT]

Is that because your example violates Rule 2’s starting and stopping prohibition, in that throwing to first after starting normal pitch throwing motion is considered “stopping” your pitch to home plate?

[@rodhelling1205]

As a former pitcher/coach and now Umpire this was a terrific, you do an absolutely great job explaining and perfect for coaches, pitchers as is a comprehensive review and super reminder for me as am diving in to my umping season! Going to share your page with area coaches, thank you!

[@xJuiCYxxJaYx]

I wish videos like this were around 30 yrs ago. My coaches knew nothing about anything when it came to pitching. I had to call timeout during a game and have the ump explain it. Wish he had the time to explain it like you did. Coulda saved my career

[@hbgchkbfv]

Excellent video, great explanation, Like most, I simply wanted a 2 minute video, but your deliver capture me the entire 16 minutes.

[@TexTom1981]

Wow...I played every position but 1, 2 and 6 (not at high levels) ...this is THE most thorough explanation of a balk I've ever come across. Thank you! It's always frustrated me as a fan watching and trying to figure out what the hell the pitcher did wrong. Takes a LOT of discipline to keep within the parameters allowed. Fantastic video.

[@Harry1s]

Thank so much for explaining all of the possible balk situations. I have been watching BB for over 20 years and I have always wondered what all of the different ways you can get called for it. Mad at myself for no researching this earlier. Thx again!!

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tomcarboni9234]

High school coach here. My pitcher got called on a balk yesterday when he shouldn’t have! I knew that I knew the rule but did some research just to make sure I wasn’t crazy. Came across your vid. Situation was runners on 1st and 2nd. My (right handed) pitcher was paused in his set and the runner on second started stealing. My players shouted “he’s going” so my pitcher stepped off with his back foot, then stepped towards third, and threw to the third basemen who was within 6 feet of the base when he received the throw. The runner was tagged out but the ump called a balk… I went to argue and said my player clearly stepped off with his back foot and disengaged from the rubber. Also, the runner was clearly stealing. The umps argument was that third was an unoccupied base and I said the runner was clearly stealing and my pitcher stepped off the rubber with his back foot… the ump kept saying you can’t throw to an unoccupied base. I lost the argument but was confident I was right. In another unrelated play, I caught someone using an illegal bat and thought the NFHS rule was that the player is automatically out but they didn’t call the player out… they just let him switch bats. I have to check that rule. Tough game for me yesterday…

[@DanBlewett]

if you step off youre a regular fielder and do anything you want.

[@jbirdcremeans]

By that umps logic, pitcher can't ever try and stop a steal by throwing to the base the runner is attempting to steal. That's an umpire who needs a LOT more training.

[@victorvalenzuela9650]

Best video I seen regarding a Balk. Seen it a few times and going through it again to get my 12u team pitchers right

[@Kennysaco]

Personly I had trouble with the separating your hands twice rule as it was part of my routine when I was younger before they called balks and now I’m having to change my routine thanks for the explanation!!!!

[@kevinblanchard5486]

Thank you for making this video. Good information. 1 more Balk - If a 1b or 3b has both feet in foul ground pre and during a Pitch it is a Defensive Balk. The Catcher has his box but all other players must be in the field of play during the Pitch.

[@Little_Muskrat13]

Thank you, Dan, for uploading this video about the intricacies involved in balking. I knew a few, but not all of these rules. 👍👍❤️

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fusionstyle67]

From an umpire's perspective, this is a great teaching tool. I work college baseball and teach high school umpires. I've used this video the past 2 years and it's been very well received. If you'd like I can forward you my breakdown of your video for high school umpires. Nice job! Bob

[@DanBlewett]

thanks! Appreciate the kind words

[@PSkyukido]

I'm a first year umpire for little league, and I've gone back to this video several times to get the concepts locked in my head. Great resource.

[@scottmccloud5179]

We got called for a balk last weekend when our pitcher’s back foot was behind the rubber and the catcher tried to signal a large lead at 1st. Since the pitcher wasn’t locked in and received a sign, that’s a balk. Tough when it’s a semi final game at 12u but was a good learning experience. This video is a great tool for all coaches and players!

[@DanBlewett]

you learn by doing - thats baseball, and life. Baseball is really complicated so as much as videos can help, learning through failing is still huge.

[@mariosaccoccio1688]

The balk was the pitcher not receiving the sigh from the catcher with his pivot foot on the rubber. I know that some fans here may not understand the situation.

[@JimShadyUK]

What an interesting and informative video! As a casual viewer from another country, I'd picked up a vague understanding of the balk rules, but this is both comprehensive and simple enough to add to my general enjoyment of the game.

[@Boode229]

Thanks for all the examples. I see balks happening but even after reading the definition it was very unclear exactly what is considered a balk. This cleared it up nicely.

[@a10sim]

Thank you for explaining these balk examples. Most appreciated!

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it was helpful!

[@baltimorejay_1]

My sons moving up to 11u and needs to learn the bulk rules and I knew the basics but I didn’t know there was so much more to it, great explanation of everything

The comprehensive guide 🔥

[@randychase305]

Not a pitcher, just a fan that really had no clue what the hell a balk was! I just watched a balk compilation video, and while some were obvious, most I had no clue what the call was for. Thanks for the help, coach!

[@neorock6135]

Great Video... We get on Umps after blown calls despite blown calls being fairly rare. Watching this vid, *I now have even more respect for the Umpires,* simpiy considering just how many nuanced variables they have to be aware of & *on every single pitch....* And holy moly, here it was in respect to just one set of variables, namely those comprised within balks. *Just WOW!*

[@staven551]

Relatively rare? Angel Hernandez? Joe West? Robo ump for strikes and balls. No excuses, these days, for 80% zone consistency.

[@youbluethatone1017]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@MH-Tesla]

Awesome. Great job. Clarifications:you can't drop the ball once on or straddling the rubber. Even if you didn't come set yet. #10. Technically the rule says you must step directly to the base you're throwing to and then throw (with the front foot). So you don't HAVE to move the back foot first... it's just really hard for a righty to throw to 1st with his right foot pointing toward 3rd. So you're correct that if your going to move your back foot you must move it both first and in one fluid motion... can't be back foot...pause...front foot. "Usually called the spin move." #11 you can be on the mound (ie in the dirt circle) without the ball. That happens after every pitch actually. But you can't straddle the pitcher's plate or be on the rubber without the ball. Excellent job. I hope youth coaches watch this!

[@DanBlewett]

good additions to the conversation - thank you!

[@jpup6006]

You can’t be within 5 feet of the rubber without the ball in NFHS and OBR you can’t be on the mound.

[@MH-Tesla]

@@jpup6006 Do you know the nfhs rule number for this? I had it come up in high school and I couldn't find it. I'm sure if I took enough time, but if you know... thanks

[@jpup6006]

@@MH-Tesla 6.2.5

[@MH-Tesla]

@@jpup6006 Dude, you are a rock star. That was quick. I checked and see thar I literally circled that phrase in my rule book. (Which I do when I read something different from little league rules of which I'm most familiar. )

[@dperl5640]

As a professional hitting instructor and college ump this is fantastic! SO MANY players, coaches AND umps don't know some of these. Possible clarification on MUST FACE BATTER - for example. pitcher cant lift leg turn back to batter than deliver a behind the back pitch to catcher..?? Only thing I could think of, kinda a rule against a "trick pitch" type thing. Thanks for the great video Brutha!

[@DanBlewett]

Thank you! I did some coaching overseas in Turkey and it brought into perspective just how complex baseball rules can be for true beginners, so this one was meant to help those starting out. Glad you thought it measured up 👊🏻

[@pianotrainee9314]

Very informative! Really useful for me as a person interested in baseball but never gotten to grasp the rules of the game intuitively from watching it, since baseball is not in favor where I live

[@Purdueboiler83]

Best video I’ve ever seen on balks. Thank you 👍

[@elronyd3511]

I’m new to pitching, got called on balks about 4x my last start. Thanks a ton for your advice.

[@DanBlewett]

Good luck!

[@chuckfan1]

@@DanBlewett your mostly right on all the balks. Except the facing the batter thing. But this is to be expected from a coach/player/fan, who "thinks" they know the rules. You say "suppose" a couple times, and also, you mention asking other coaches etc. Did you ask a collegiate umpire etc? That way you get the correct information. Not supposing or guessing. Almost all players, coaches, think they know the rules, or an idea etc. And almost always, they are off. This rule, (not in the college rules btw), means either in one of two positions, wind-up or set, facing. If you deliver the pitch, legally, you can be looking anywhere. There is no rule to support, exactly, what your saying. That at some point, you have to "look back" No verbiage in the rule book on this either. If your legal on wind-up or set, you can look wherever you want. The next section, again, nothing in the book about your "right foot has to be the one that moves first" , Again, nothing in any of the rule sets (mlb, collegiate, HS), that supports this. The only thing on this, its referred to as a "step balk" or a buckle. A righthander, is making a pick to first, cant buckle his non pivot first, THEN spin and pick. As that initial buckle, is a movement considered as starting the motion to pitch. In any rule set, pitcher, in trying to pick, cant make any movement associated with his delivery, in this case, a knee buckle, then pause, and then spin to first. As the initial movement of the knee, on the non pivot, indicates starting a pitching motion. It all has to be in one movement. This is very difficult for umpires to get, at any level. But there is nothing about the right foot (or left foot for a lefty, having to move first) and, nothing in the rule books about the 45 degrees etc. Book says throw directly to the base. So, the "interpretation", as an umpire, a guide, is to use the halfway point of the baseline, yes the 45. But this isnt in the book. This is especially used for a lefty. As they can get away with more, as far as the step. Since its difficult for the umpire to judge, where his non pivot lands in that throw to first. So usually, the lefty has to really blow past that point, to get called for that type of balk Seek out a high level umpire in your area, and get the proper meanings, and verbiage

[@loganstevens2688]

@@chuckfan1 Jesus Christ settle down all he did is say "suppose"

[@chuckfan1]

@@loganstevens2688 Dude... Im settled... And, this is social media... comments are part of the deal.. dont like it? move on And yeah, all he did was say "suppose" , but all this leads to mis-information getting out there, and leads to players/coaches/announcers/fans not knowing the rules, or thinking they know the rules, or only knowing part of a rule. I umpire here in So Cal, college.. so I take this stuff seriously. Im buried in the rule book all the time, and know how this stuff goes. So if you want to say Im worked up, or not settled, ok.. but not the case Im passionate about this, and what I do.. And if I can pass on intel, that is actually correct, and someone learns something, it can only help, with interaction betwixt umpires and those involved in the game Especially when it comes to rules, and the interpretations thereof..

[@n.52255]

yesterday at training someone said i did a balk and i did not know what it was thank you for explaining and learning me now im less scared for my game today!!

[@Chris-0703]

There go my dreams of pitching with Tourettes

[@rayman56]

In high school, my windup was a balk. I started with my front foot on the rubber and my back foot off, which wasn't an issue until we got to our conference tournament, where as I'm warming up, homeplate ump tells me I can't do my windup because of my back foot not being on the rubber. Threw me off so bad let me tell you. We did end up winning the game, (and the tournament) but it did teach me one important lesson: if you can't do your windup, just go from the stretch

[@virgilhuston8328]

I have watched this a few times as an umpire to improve my ability to call balks. Thank you so much for these. Balks are one hard thing for umpires to master. And they seem to be hard for some young players to master not doing.

[@DanBlewett]

glad it's helped and thanks for the comment

[@Schizim]

Bravo. Great explanation and spot on.

[@josharmfield8920]

As a second year umpire doing higher grades now this is super helpful thank you

[@younken24films]

Thank you! This is the easiest to understand explanation of a balk I've seen.

[@airfoilengine3799]

Great video. I never understood the subtle ways some balks get called.

[@samclough7048]

Thx you so helpful as umpire. Keep the game going, don’t looking for bulk keep the game going . When bill come you’ll know it .

[@eauhomme]

I once had a pitcher get angry at me because I called a balk on him three times in the first inning for not doing a discernible stop in the set position prior to pitching. His control was all over the place, and he walked the first two batters and balked them around the bases. His coach was too busy screaming at me to fix the pitcher's mechanics. Finally, the coach and the pitcher decided to mock me. The pitcher did an exaggerated set position with an hard 2-3 second stop. In doing so, he established a rhythm and was much sharper the rest of the game.

[@riftwake178]

I love it when an exaggerated movement backfires, because you're just like... yeah. That. That's what you're supposed to do. Do that. Boy do they get steamed.

[@ba_brisk]

You're so cool

[@standyer7482]

That is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire. Pitchers and coaches need to adjust. The problem is neither the pitcher, nor the coach understand the rules.

[@ba_brisk]

@@standyer7482 any rules that requires judgement or is open to interpretation should not be a rule.

[@eauhomme]

@@ba_brisk So no ball/strike calls or safe/out calls? All calls are up to the judgment of an umpire. The strike zone is open to interpretation. So is the infield fly rule (What is "ordinary effort?")

[@Igbon5]

That was very interesting. Thanks. I had no idea that pitching was so detailed and subtle in this way.

[@67L48]

First rule for any of these videos is to know your specific rule book -- there are some pretty big differences. We sort of know this intuitively as we watch HS and NCAA players use metal bats that aren't allowed in the MLB. But, we sort of forget this with everything else. 3:26. Balk Rule #4 is definitely one that reads different in different rule books. For NFHS, it's much more liberal about when you can feint or throw to an unoccupied base. Feinting a pickoff to 3B is another one. This was famously make a balk in OBR (MLB) a decade ago. For years, it was still legal in NCAA and NFHS. NCAA adopted the rule a few years ago. However, it's still legal to feint a pick off to 3B in high school. So, make sure you know the rulebook your league is using or you'll be that moron in the HS stands screaming, "That's a balk!! You can't fake to 3B!!!" [Same applies to other sports, like football. In HS, there are far fewer automatic first downs on defensive penalties (e.g., 3rd and 20, defensive pass interference for 15 yds, brings up 3rd and 5) and holding is a spot foul (2nd and 10, left guard commits holding 7 yds behind the line of scrimmage for a 10 yd penalty, brings up 2nd and 27). Always know your rulebooks.]

[@1969EType]

This comment should absolutely be pinned to the top of the comments....This fake to 3rd and throw to 1st situation with the variances between the rulebooks needs to stop. Coaches, players and yes, even a few umpires still do not understand that in 2022 this move is legal under NFHS high school rules and a balk under NCAA and OBR pro rules. I work a dozen games a week across a variety of levels and this rule causes more problems then anything else in the rules of baseball. Can anyone provide a rational explanation of why NFHS is still allowing this when the other leagues are not? And while we're at it, let's decide if a balk is or is not an immediate dead ball across all codes too, please...

[@beng6805]

Great video! Thank you so much for your clear yet thorough explanations.

[@cwagner4704]

This is great work , I’d love to get this in the hands of every youth coach I’ve ever dealt with .

[@zachpower2192]

I was once umpiring a playoff game for some higher-level peewee teams (10-12 year olds). Bottom of the final inning, home team up by one, bases loaded, 2 out, 0-2 count. Catcher wants to set up for a fastball off the plate and in doing so places his foot outside the catcher’s box. I immediately called time and took the catcher aside and explained that if the pitcher had started his delivery (in this league it was both feet need to be inside the box) it would be a balk, runners advance, tie game. 10-12 year-olds so I didn’t feel bad about explaining this. If it was an older league I would have let it be and called the balk. But I didn’t want the game for these kids to be decided on an obscure rule.

[@dgaubin]

I'm not following - if the home team was winning, why were they playing the bottom of the last inning?

[@youbluethatone1017]

@@dgaubin because he made the whole scenario up. People on KZbin are weird like that. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s never actually umpired a game of Baseball.

[@Otome_chan311]

wow. I didn't realize there was a lot of different rules just for the form of the pitching. Baseball is a beautiful game.

[@Gyj-s1l9479]

Thanks for the video! I was a curious fan of baseball and found your video....never looking at pitchers the same lol. Thanks for the insight!

[@alvankarpas6245]

Former player and umpire in the lower leagues. Good job. Wish this was around years ago. Now I'm just an old retired guy who can take satisfaction in knowing my balk calls were good...

[@DanBlewett]

thanks for watching! Just finished a video about the infield fly rule, which also confuses beginners.

[@alvankarpas6245]

@@DanBlewett The point is, there is structure and there is an order to rules in baseball and they are only truly understood when the one teaching understands that structure and order. Don't deceive the runner, or batter for that matter. Your job is to serve up the ball so that it may be put into play.

[@haysbrickell9579]

Wow, I didn't realize there were so many balk calls. It was really an interesting explanation by Dan.

[@joshminyard9931]

Thanks for the video. What about when the pitcher uses the traditional “set position” as a windup? 1. Lefty pitcher- No runners on, takes sign with left foot against rubber and right foot parallel to rubber, comes set (again both feet parallel to rubber), then takes “rocker step” toward third lifts leg and delivers home 2. What if does the same move with runners on?

[@TombomOfficial]

Great vid, learned a lot. Thanks Dan. Glad I stumbled onto your videos recently. Always loved baseball but understanding it from both sides definitely helps illuminate and make enjoyment of the game easier. Stumbled onto this while watching the Jackie Robinson docudrama 42 for the first time. Had to relearn what a balk was. The pitcher has a ton of work to do and is one of the backbones of a strong team, so thanks for teaching young pitchers and hopefully inspiring the next generation of flamethrowers and nasty movement legends of the future.

[@markphilippsjr]

Awesome video! As an Umpire this is a great video

[@robthompson8285]

Wow! Super informative video. I thought I knew what a balk was before this video but I was way off! Thanks

[@francopellegrin6405]

This is absolutely the best tutorial on balk rules I've ever seen!! Great video!! You got a new subscriber 👍🏻👍🏻

[@DanBlewett]

Thanks for the sub!

[@kerrytodd3753]

Very good info for my 9-10yr old players parents…..kind of a simplified version and perfect for them. A+ coach Blue

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dondee5439]

Great explanations here.

[@Spencer-us3zs]

Thanks! This video helped out a lot

[@DanBlewett]

you're welcome!

[@baxter6504]

The best explanations of balking. Thank you very much!!!

[@bkingvt33]

Great video. I would like to add one if I may. All fielders, with the exception of the catcher, must be in fair territory when a pitch is delivered. If not, the penalty is a balk. For example if the 1B is holding a runner with one foot in foul territory.

[@cesarvargasdesign]

Can you step off the rubber WHILE you're coming set? At 4:56, while you're about to join your hands, can you step off the rubber with your right leg to interrupt your coming set? Love this comprehensive video, there was some stuff I didn't know!

[@DanBlewett]

yes you can step off any time before delivering the ball - good question!

[@cesarvargasdesign]

@@DanBlewett Awesome! Yeah, no one has really been able to answer this question--I usually have to ask an umpire before the game if I'm allowed to do that, and some say yes, while others no, lol

[@mae2759]

@@cesarvargasdesign This is legal to step off while you're coming set.

[@jacobaguiar8018]

Great vid. Rule #9 may I suggest why a pitcher might want to do it, snake eyes. A fastball right down the middle but never looking might confuse the batter and you can probably get a fastball over the plate without looking to hard. So kinda like a no look pass to your catcher

[@RandyLahey_OG]

The omelette I made for breakfast this morning turned out really well. Thank you for the information in the video.

[@julianwayne4639]

You may have made this for players, but I just became an umpire and this is GOLD 😂 thank you for the explanation WITH demonstration.

[@DanBlewett]

You're very welcome - glad I could help. This stuff feels really easy once you've been pitching a long time, but I realized over time that lots and lots of beginners were very confused.

[@altonweaver7757]

Also an umpire. Great insight and actually learned something new! Good job!

[@aaluck]

Great video. Ended up her as a result of a game I did last night NFHS rules. After coming set (no issues) the pitcher would start his delivery to the plate--he ONLY did what I am about to describe when delivering a pitch. Once his delivery began he would slightly (4-6 inches) separate his hands and then tap the ball back into his glove--'reset' the ball in his glove. Again this is a movement that occurred after everything is in motion toward the plate--upper and lower body moving to pitch. What do you have there? I had nothing and wanted another opinion from a pitching coach.

[@DanBlewett]

Ive seen a number of pitchers do a tap like that - Jason Motte did it in the Big Leagues. It's not a balk provided they do it the same way every single time. It's part of his motion to the plate just like his leg kick, and it's not stopping his delivery or changing his direction of momentum or anything. If he only did it some of the time, it would get called.

[@aaluck]

@@DanBlewett that’s exactly what I told the coach complaining. Thank you for your reply. But wanted to make sure I was not missing anything

[@eauhomme]

@@DanBlewett Bill Risley, I believe, also did that. He'd lift his leg, pull the hand out of the glove at precisely the same moment, then tap it and pitch. It was a timing device and helped him greatly with his control.

[@user-im5gv2cw6c]

Good job getting the "can't pick off if your foot crosses the rubber" rule for lefties. People miss that one all the time.

[@eauhomme]

I once worked a tournament and was on the bases for this game. The coach came up to me just before the game and tipped me off that his lefty had a great pickoff move, so I'd better be ready for runners to get picked. I knew what to expect, and I wasn't disappointed. The pitcher does a huge leg kick well behind the rubber, Dontrelle Willis style, fires it to first, and I call the balk. The coach comes unglued. "What do you mean he can't bring his leg back like that? He's been doing that for a couple years and he's never been called for a balk!"

[@patrickhenryjolly]

Can you explain the walk off balk in the Reds/ Rays game?

[@tomcarboni9234]

Three times this season I had to argue a balk… another question here. In the high school league I coach, you can still fake to third and throw to first. Here is the situation that arose: runners on first and third. Right handed pitcher did a hang move to third (stepped to third without lifting pivot foot). He faked to third, then turned and faked to first, and turned again and threw to third. I argued that was a balk and that after he faked toward third he has to throw to first. Is that true? Is what the pitcher did a balk? He never stepped behind the rubber Always appreciate your feedback and love your videos!

[@DanBlewett]

i dont think so. stepping to third or second, you can fake, and the pitcher becomes a normal fielder after that, basically, so they can do whatever.

[@edbkny]

Finally I get it thanks for explaining it the right way 👏👏👏

[@vanessathomas2011]

Thanks this just happened yesterday with the Dodgers and the Astro I’ve never heard of this I had to ask my brothers what this was. Great explanation.

[@DanBlewett]

Glad I could help

[@madhattom891]

Honestly never had a great handle on this rule, so I enjoyed seeing a proper video demonstration. Got a easy double play once courtesy of this rule though. Didn't usually pitch, but they put me in for an inning as a bit of a joke. So being a teenage kid, and nervous as hell because I just walked the first batter I faced, I take forever digging my back foot in at the rubber. Probably either disrupted my motion or was just taking too long, so they call it. Next guy hits a liner, runner doesn't expect our shortstop to snag it and basically runs right into the tag. Next batter grounds out and I put up a scoreless inning that I had no business pitching 😜 .

[@jhh-jiynks6568]

Thank you I've always wondered. I'm not a player but I've always been curious. Thank you, very interesting

[@billybot01]

Love it! So well explained… I do have a question though. If a pitcher takes the rubber (back foot is against rubber) and runner goes can he just throw to base from that position or take of running? Does the pitcher have to step off back of rubber even when not set to go after runner?

[@williamgilcrest166]

Building on what is not a balk, How would you coach a 13u lefty pitcher to develop the most effective, most difficult to read, yet still just legal, move to first base to pick runners off and to keep them close? Lots to learn on the subject for a right handed dad. Thanks for all your videos they are very instructional.

[@DanBlewett]

check out this article, which has a number of videos: danblewett.com/left-handed-pick-off-moves/

[@Ghost_Recon_Actual]

Thanks for a great explanation of all balks from a big MLB fan.

[@DanBlewett]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rlowle1228]

Finally. I now have a clue about balk rules.

[@eauhomme]

11:05 One balk I have seen related to the "delivery off the rubber" is the pitcher who stands astride the rubber, puts his hands together into the set position, then steps his back foot on the rubber. The back foot must be on the rubber before the hands go together.

[@mae2759]

One that I've seen is that the pitcher will step on the rubber in the wind up. He will then step off while at the same time moving his arms up like he's doing his normal windup and try to pick off a runner at third. That's a balk for making a motion naturally associated with your pitch while off the rubber.

[@pepgroen7546]

I think the only one you forgot was the balk when youre on the rubber and you switch the Ball to your glove or the other way around before coming set. I really liked the video!

[@DanBlewett]

theres no separate rule for that - that's just starting and stopping again. falls under the same umbrella. I did go through the rulebook to make sure I had everything covered, before making the video.

[@ernest1576]

I love how fans think the umps don't know what their doing but they do they aren't just calling balks you explained every balk thank you

[@harm864]

Growing up watching the Yankees in the '90s & '00s, Andy Pettite was the king of pick-offs but most of the time he could have been called for a balk. I guess once you have a reputation, umps let you slide or give you some leeway, like the Greg Maddox outside corner. I always wanted a clearer explanation of the balk. Thank for this vid.

[@DanBlewett]

Yeah it would have been nice to demonstrate some lefty moves, but too difficult here - Pettite's move was usually legal, but so good that is was just barely legal most of the time.

[@Fremen2]

@@DanBlewett When I was a kid it was Steve Carlton I always thought got the benefit of the doubt on his famed pick off move. Great channel.

[@ernest1576]

I pitched when I was a kid now I'm teaching my grandson how too pitch thank you sir for your video

[@DanBlewett]

That is awesome!

[@matthew-nt3gz]

My basball coach had a problem with our pitchers balking ridiculously. So at practice he drew a square in the dirt around the mound and explained the dos and don't. 😀

[@willharper7888]

Great explanation of ALL the types of balks fella...I've been wondering about this...👏👏👏👍

[@DanBlewett]

thanks! be sure to check out the FAQ video if you have more questions - I answered a bunch of common ones in response to this video.

[@KFowl35]

I had to come here after watching Zach Greinke’s pickoff compilation.

[@DanBlewett]

Greinke = goat

[@justmeeagainn]

With regards to rule 7, I've seen pitchers do this lots of times and never get called for a balk. They double tap or even triple tap their glove right before they throw and it always works. As far as not moving once you come set, I've seen certain pitchers practically do a soft shoe routine on the mound before they throw; they walk backwards, they walk two steps forwards, they walk another step backwards again, and they never get called for a balk. Basically, it seems to me that a balk is whatever the umpire does or does not want to call on any given day and depending on who the umpire just happens to be. Also, the delaying the game balk seems to now be a pitch clock violation, and is just a ball added to the count instead of a balk.

[@joemax4535]

Thank you for explaining in detail how ridiculous the balk rule is.

[@DanBlewett]

nah its really not hard

[@stolnpckup]

I always wondered what a ball was. I dont play baseball or ever played. But that was good information.