No – it’s a myth. The pitcher is the ONLY player on the field that can commit a balk!

During my years of coaching, I have seen it cause confusion in games several times. In fact, in a 12U USSSA World Series, an umpire was calling a balk because the first baseman had one foot in foul territory. This is incorrect, as we shall see.

Let’s start with the basics:

OBR, NCAA and NFHS all give a one sentence definition for “Balk”.

“A balk is an illegal act committed by the pitcher with runner(s) on base….” [OBR 2; NCAA 2.2; NFHS 2.3]

That’s it. A pitcher balks – no one else. So where does this myth come from?

Well, it comes from the fact that in ALL three sets of rules, the pitcher can be committing an illegal act if he pitches while another player is doing something they shouldn’t. For example, it’s possible for the pitcher to balk by delivering a pitch when the catcher is set up illegally (see our article “Can a Catcher Balk?” for more info).

In addition, in NFHS the pitcher can be called for a balk when a fielder (other than the catcher) is in foul territory. However, this is NOT a balk in OBR or NCAA.

Let’s explain.

OBR, NCAA and NFHS all require that each fielder is in fair territory when the ball is put in play (OBR & NCAA) or the pitcher delivers a pitch (NFHS). [OBR 4.03.c; NCAA 5.4; NFHS 1.1.4]

In both OBR 4.03.c and NCAA 5.4, the rule goes on to explain where the catcher can set up and gives the proper penalty if he doesn’t. Many times people confuse the penalty, thinking it applies to any fielder being in foul territory – but it doesn’t. It only applies to the catcher.

While this myth is always about a first baseman setting up in fair or foul territory – it applies to everyone other than the catcher. They all must be in fair territory. However, sometimes (especially in youth and high school baseball) you will see a first baseman set up with one or both feet in foul territory while holding a runner – which is why some call it (incorrectly) a “First Baseman’s Balk”. Sometimes, we even see it when the third baseman is holding a runner. The runner should never be held on at 3B, so we’ll ignore that – but the rule applies all the same!

Anyway, setting up in foul territory is illegal. OBR doesn’t give penalties for this. It isn’t mentioned other than in the respective rule about all fielders needing to be in fair territory. The proper way to handle this is to tell the player to get in fair territory and be there each time the pitcher is ready to pitch. If he refuses, he should be ejected.

The Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation Manual (PBUC) says to not enforce the rule unless one side complains – then, enforce it for both sides equally. [PBUC 1.16].

Interestingly, PBUC mentions only the first baseman. That’s for convenience – when is the last time a runner was held on at 3B in pro baseball? Probably never!

NCAA 5.4.c says that the play (whatever happens when a pitcher delivers a pitch when a fielder is in foul territory), if it benefits the defense, should be nullified.

NFHS is different – it IS a balk (by the pitcher) if he delivers a pitch while any player (other than the catcher) is in foul territory when the pitch is delivered, but only with a runner on base. If no runner is on base, the pitch is called a ball. How do we know this? Follow the string of rules:

NFHS 1.1.4 says all fielders must be in fair territory when the ball is pitched. The proper call is an Illegal Pitch.

NFHS 2.18.1 says an illegal pitch is a balk with a runner(s) on base (and a ball is awarded to the batter with no runners on base).

NFHS 6.2.4 also says it’s a balk if a pitcher makes an illegal pitch.

Please note also, that under NFHS 5.1.k anytime a pitcher commits an illegal pitch – the ball is immediately dead. Therefore – in our scenario – the ball is dead and it’s a balk with runners on base and a ball is awarded the batter if there are no runners.

It doesn’t matter if the ball is hit, if the ball hits that batter or anything else. On an illegal pitch (in NFHS) the ball is ALWAYS immediately dead.

To summarize, if the pitcher delivers a pitch when the first baseman is in foul territory, it is a possible ejection in OBR, it nullifies the following play if it benefits the defense in NCAA and is an illegal pitch in NFHS.

Finally – what defines when a fielder is in fair or foul territory?

In OBR, both feet need to be in fair territory. [PBUC 1.16]
In NCAA and NFHS, one foot needs to be in fair territory [NCAA 5.4; NFHS 1.1.4]

Now, back to the 12U USSSA World Series. I was watching another game – not one involving my team. One team was called for a balk several times because the first baseman had one foot in foul territory. I knew the coach of the defensive team from speaking to him earlier in the day and he knew I was a bit of a rules nut.

He asked me if this was a balk. I told him: “No, not in OBR and USSSA plays OBR”. The tournament director was contacted and agreed with the ump. He said it was a balk at all levels.

I explained to the tournament director that the rules are being confused. It is never a balk in OBR (as you’ve seen) and MAY be a balk in NFHS. However, since the first baseman had one foot in fair territory – it wasn’t even a balk in the only set of rules that allow for a balk to be called!

All the talk was to no avail. The ruling was allowed to stand.

Our advice?

To players and coaches – the proper mechanic for a first baseman holding on a runner doesn’t include him placing either foot in foul territory. Players should learn the correct way to hold a runner.

To umpires and tournament directors – learn the rules you are playing under and learn the differences between them. See our article “Understanding the Rules of Baseball – Rule #1″