Can you balk in fast pitch softball?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 20, 2026
There are no balks in softball. There are illegal pitches. A pitcher stopping their pitching motion is an illegal pitch. There are many types of illegal pitches, which of course include preliminaries (appearing to take signal, hands separated, on plate etc) and illegal delivery (no crow hops or leaps etc).
Can you balk in fastpitch?
Can a pitcher balk in softball? No. A balk is only called in baseball. In fastpitch softball, runners are not allowed to leave the base until the pitcher has released the pitch.
Can you balk with no baserunners?
With runners on base, call a balk. With no runners on base there is no infraction and no penalty. If a pitcher swings any part of the free foot past the back edge of the pitcher's plate, the pitcher is required to pitch to the batter, except to throw to second base on a pick-off play.
Can you balk a runner home?
A quick pitch is an illegal pitch. Umpires will judge a quick pitch as one delivered before the batter is reasonably set in the batter's box. With runners on base the penalty is a balk; with no runners on base, it is a ball. The quick pitch is dangerous and should not be permitted.
Can a pitcher balk to second base?
(Under current rules, the only base a pitcher may feint to is second.) Umpires should indicate balks called under Official Baseball Rule 6.02(a)(3) (no step) by slapping the side of their leg after calling the balk. This indicates the balk is for failure to step directly towards a base.
42 related questions foundCan you fake a throw to third base?
' ” Under a rule change imposed by Major League Baseball for this season, pitchers can no longer fake a pickoff throw to third base. Pitchers who did this would almost always follow by wheeling and firing to first — or to second, if a duped runner had taken off in that direction. No more.
Can a pitcher fake to first base?
A pitcher can not feint a throw to first base.
What are the rules for a balk?
A balk occurs when a pitcher makes an illegal motion on the mound that the umpire deems to be deceitful to the runner(s). As a result, any men on base are awarded the next base, and the pitch (if it was thrown in the first place) is waved off for a dead ball.
Can you challenge a balk?
A balk is technically a "play" and therefore nullifies the opportunity to appeal. That said, it is not necessary for the pitcher to disengage the rubber before throwing to a base for the purpose of making an appeal.
Can a runner score on a balk?
If the batter-runner and all other runners do not advance, the balk penalty prevails, the batter must return to the batter's box with the previous count, and runners advance one base as penalty for the balk. purpose of this rule.
Can you bulk with nobody on base?
If no runners are on base and the pitcher commits an otherwise balkable action, there generally is no penalty. However, delivering a quick return or pitching while off the rubber (which constitute balks when runners are on base) results in a ball being called with the bases empty.
What is an illegal pitch?
From BR Bullpen. An Illegal pitch is a pitch that does not conform to the rules. With men on base, such a pitch is a balk, while without it is called a ball, but repeated offenses may lead to further punishment.
What happens if pitcher takes too long?
Rule 8.04: “When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call 'Ball. '” The issue here is that the rule is never enforced.
Is there a balk rule in softball?
There are no balks in softball. There are illegal pitches. A pitcher stopping their pitching motion is an illegal pitch. There are many types of illegal pitches, which of course include preliminaries (appearing to take signal, hands separated, on plate etc) and illegal delivery (no crow hops or leaps etc).
Does softball have the balk rule?
Remember: A balk can only occur in baseball, there is no such thing as a balk in softball. A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base. It entitles all runners to advance one base, and it is a delayed dead ball (except in high school where it is a dead ball and nothing else may happen).
What makes an illegal pitch in softball?
For those not familiar, an illegal pitch in softball occurs when the pitcher breaks a rule while delivering her pitch. The illegal pitch is called by the umpire, resulting in an awarded ball to the batter in the box. If there is a runner on base when an illegal pitch occurs, the base runner is awarded the next base.
Can you walk on a balk?
When a pitcher balks with runners on base, the umpire will call a balk and all runners advance one base. If the batter is able to make to first on a hit, error, walk, or hit by a pitch and all other runners can proceed at least one base, then the play will proceed as if the balk never happened.
Is a baulk an error?
Is a balk an error? No. A balk is not an error, and the result is a ball added to the count (if no runners on base) and each baserunner gets to advance one base if there are.
Can a pitch be challenged?
Prior to a 30-second time limit being implemented for the 2017 season, a manager challenge could be exercised up until the commencement of the next play or pitch. On-field personnel were not permitted to intentionally delay the game in order to provide their club with additional time to challenge a play.
Can a pitcher balk before coming set?
The pitcher may disengage the rubber, but must do so properly. He must step backward off the rubber with his pivot foot. Improperly disengaging the rubber is a balk. However, once he has disengaged the rubber, he is now a fielder, not a pitcher, and all of the restrictions placed on the pitcher are no longer in effect.
Can a pitcher balk with no one on base?
If no runners are on base and the pitcher commits an otherwise balkable action, there generally is no penalty. However, delivering a quick return or pitching while off the rubber (which constitute balks when runners are on base) results in a ball being called with the bases empty.
Can a pitcher pause in his windup?
A new Approved Ruling to Rule 9-1(a) states: A.R. 2—A pitcher may pause during his delivery from the windup position without penalty. There is no similar "approved ruling" in professional baseball.
Can a pitcher throw to third without stepping off the rubber?
NCAA: When the pitcher steps toward third, he need not feint a throw to third, but if he does, the feint must be directed toward third base. If he follows through and throws to first, he must disengage the rubber. NFHS: He may keep his foot on the rubber if he throws to first, provided he steps toward first.
Do you have to come set to pick off?
Balk or Pick off Move for Right Handed Pitchers
The pitcher must come set by coming to a complete stop before he throws a pitch home. Once the pitcher is set he can't move his shoulders or move around unless you step off the back of the rubber.
Is it illegal to throw your glove at a baseball?
When a fielder throws his glove at a batted ball, it is a violation of baseball rule, 5.06(4)(C), the detached equipment rule. There is no penalty if the glove does not make contact with the ball but if the glove makes contact, all runners, including the batter runner are awarded three bases.