What is a fielder balk?

Answer 1

Rule 4.03(a) states "The catcher shall station himself directly back of the plate. He may leave his position at any time to catch a pitch or make a play except that when the batter is being given an intentional base on balls, the catcher must stand with both feet within the lines of the catcher's box until the ball leaves the pitcher's hand. PENALTY: Balk."

A "catcher's balk" is charged to the pitcher (for pitching when the catcher is out of the box), and has the same penalty as any other balk -- the runners advance one base.

On June 24, 2004, John Shulock called such a balk on the Braves' Greg Maddux when he pitched while catcher Fernando Lunar's foot was out of the box. Bobby Cox argued the call and was ejected. The night before, Brewers' manager Davey Lopes had asked the umpires to enforce the rule against the Braves' catcher Javy Lopez, who was setting up far outside the box. This appears to be the only time this balk has been called in decades.

Major League crew chief Tim McClelland has written "As a matter of fact, I have never seen it called, it's one of those things you just kind of let slide."

Answer 2

A fielder's balk occurs when one of the fielder's is not in fair territory when a pitch is delivered.

According to the rules, all fielders, except the catcher, must be positioned in fair territoy when a pitch is delivered.

Fielder's interference is when a fielder interferes with the runners opportunity to reach the next base.

Answer 3

The only fielder that is able to balk is the pitcher. a balk occurs when there is a base runner and the pitcher makes an incorrect move, in essence trying to trick the runner and/or batter. the pitcher has a set of rules to follow and must reveal his intentions of throwing the runner out or throwing home. it's best to look into the leagues rule book to see what rules apply to the league that interests you. it's a very complex rule.

It is also a balk when the catcher is out of the catcher's box when the pitcher begins his pitch, and when any player other than the catcher is not in fair territory when the pitcher begins his pitch.

Answer 4

In Baseball, a pitcher may commit a number of illegal motions or actions which constitute a balk. A balk ordinarily results in an immediate dead ball and nullification of any pitch, and each runner is awarded one base. The batter generally returns to bat with the previous count. There are cases when a balk may be ignored partially or completely, though this is very rare. The balk rule in Major League Baseball was introduced in 1898.

Answer 5

A Catcher's Balk is the Catcher leaving his position in which he crouches at behind the home plate because in the rules, he is not allowed to move out of his crouch box which is allowed a Catcher's box as well until the Pitcher delivers the ball. In the event of a Catcher's Balk occurring, the runners would advance one base in the event of there being runners on base. Major League Baseball Umpires however don't typically call a Catcher's Balk.