A balk is an illegal act by a pitcher with at least one runner on base, and the penalty is simple: the ball is dead and every runner moves up one base. The official rulebook does not leave it to feel. Rule 6.02(a) lists thirteen specific acts that are balks, and nearly every balk you will ever see is one of them (2026 Official Baseball Rules).
The thirteen balk acts in Rule 6.02(a), in plain language
The rule says “if there is a runner, or runners, it is a balk when” the pitcher does any of the following. We have grouped them by what the pitcher is doing wrong.
Starting a pitch or throw and not finishing it
- (1) Makes any motion naturally associated with the pitch while touching the rubber and fails to deliver. If the free foot swings past the back edge of the rubber, the pitcher must pitch, except for a pickoff throw to second base.
- (2) Feints a throw to first or third base and does not complete the throw.
- (7) Makes a motion associated with the pitch while not touching the rubber.
- (9) Stands on or astride the rubber without the ball, or feints a pitch while off the rubber.
Pickoff mistakes
- (3) Does not step directly toward a base before throwing to it. The rule comment says that turning or spinning off the free foot without really stepping, or turning the body and throwing before stepping, is a balk.
- (4) Throws or feints to an unoccupied base, unless it is to make a play. The umpire considers whether a runner on the previous base created an impression of trying to advance.
Delivery and set-position errors
- (5) Makes an illegal pitch. The rulebook calls a quick pitch, one delivered before the batter is reasonably set, an illegal pitch.
- (6) Delivers the ball to the batter while not facing the batter.
- (10) After coming to a legal pitching position, takes one hand off the ball other than to pitch or throw to a base.
- (12) While giving an intentional walk, pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher’s box.
- (13) Delivers from the set position without coming to a stop.
Other
- (8) Unnecessarily delays the game.
- (11) While touching the rubber, lets the ball slip or fall out of the hand or glove, accidentally or on purpose. This one is a balk even though nobody meant it.
The comment to Rule 6.02(a) also says the purpose of the rule is to stop the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the runner, and that if the umpire is in doubt, the pitcher’s intent governs. It adds two specifics: straddling the rubber without the ball is treated as intent to deceive and is a balk, and with a runner on first a pitcher may make a full turn without hesitating toward first and throw to second.
What the penalty is, and when it does not apply
The ball is dead and each runner advances one base without being liable to be put out. There is an exception: if the batter reaches first on a hit, an error, a walk or a hit batter, and all other runners advance at least one base, play goes on and the balk is ignored. That is the advantage rule, and it keeps the defense from benefiting from its own violation. If a pitcher balks and throws wild, runners may advance beyond the base they are awarded at their own risk.
No runners on base: an illegal pitch instead
With the bases empty, an illegal pitch is not a balk. Under Rule 6.02(b) it is called a ball unless the batter reaches base some other way. A ball that slips out of the pitcher’s hand and crosses the foul line is a ball; otherwise it is no pitch, and with runners on it would be a balk.
The 2023 change: limits on pickoff attempts
MLB added a new way to commit a balk when it adopted its pitch-timer rules. Under the disengagement limit, a pitcher may step off or attempt a pickoff only twice per plate appearance. A third disengagement that does not get the runner out results in a balk, and the runner advances. The count resets if runners advance during the plate appearance. Mound visits, injury timeouts and offensive timeouts do not count as disengagements, and a team that has used all five of its mound visits before the ninth inning gets one extra visit in the ninth, which works as an extra disengagement (MLB.com glossary: Balk & Disengagement Violation).
Balks at the youth level
Youth leagues adapt the rules of the game to the age group, and the details differ among Little League, PONY and Cal Ripken. Use your league’s rulebook rather than the major league list above. To see which division a player belongs to, use our league age and field finder.
Frequently asked questions about the balk rule
What is a balk in baseball in simple terms?
An illegal motion or act by the pitcher with a runner on base. The ball is dead and each runner advances one base.
Does a balk always advance the runners?
Almost always. The exception is when the batter reaches first and every other runner advances at least one base, in which case play continues without the balk.
Can there be a balk with no runners on base?
No. With the bases empty, an illegal pitch is called a ball (Rule 6.02(b)).
Is a balk still a balk if it was accidental?
Yes. Rule 6.02(a)(11) makes it a balk if the ball slips or falls from the pitcher’s hand or glove while he is touching the rubber, accidentally or intentionally.
How many pickoff throws can a pitcher make?
MLB limits a pitcher to two disengagements per plate appearance; a third that does not retire the runner is a balk. The count resets when a runner advances.
Reviewed against primary sources on October 3, 2026. We rewrote this article that day, replacing a loose description of balk “patterns” with the thirteen acts the rulebook actually lists. Sources: 2026 Official Baseball Rules, Rules 6.02(a) and 6.02(b) · MLB.com glossary: Balk. Drafted with AI assistance; see our editorial policy.