No, he can’t. Just as we explained in our article “Can a First Baseman Balk?” – only the pitcher can commit a balk.
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]
The “catcher’s balk” is (incorrectly) called that because the PITCHER can balk if he delivers a pitch, with a runner on base, when the catcher is out of the catcher’s box. But, this is a balk on the pitcher, not on the catcher.
Though rarely ever called – this balk usually happens on an intentional walk. The catcher is standing, asking for the ball way outside. If the catcher steps out of the catcher’s box before the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand – it’s a balk in all three sets of rules. [OBR 4.03.a; NCAA 5.4; NFHS 1.1.4]
OBR 4.03.c and NCAA 5.4 both say that the catcher must have BOTH feet within the lines of the catcher’s box until the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand.
NFHS 1.1.4 says the catcher must be in the catcher’s box when the pitch is delivered. This is interpreted to mean when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand – and just like the first baseman having one foot in fair territory – the catcher must have one foot in the catcher’s box.
In all three sets of rules, with men on base, if the catcher is not in the catcher’s box when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand – it is a balk. But what about with no men on base?
OBR 4.03.c only says it’s a balk – it doesn’t say anything about no runners on base. However, OBR 2 defines a balk as requiring a runner or runners on base. So, with no one on base, it is interpreted to be nothing – play on.
NCAA 5.4 and NFHS 1.1.4 say it’s an illegal pitch. In NCAA, what’s the call? Hard to say, since NCAA 2.42 defines an illegal pitch as a pitch delivered to the batter with the pitcher’s pivot in contact with the pitcher’s rubber or the pitcher making a quick return pitch. There is no mention of any other illegal pitches. In any case, the penalty for an illegal pitch is that the pitch is called a ball – which is what the defense wanted anyway! So, it is treated just as in OBR – nothing, play on.
NFHS 2.18 defines an illegal pitch as an illegal act committed by the pitcher. And the penalty? A ball is called. So the effect is the same – just what the pitcher wanted – a ball.
In any case, there aren’t two many Barry Bonds players out there – players being intentionally walked with nobody on base!
So, though all three rules take different angles to get there – the result is the same. A balk with men on base and nothing with no men on base.
Just a little addition. The “catcher’s balk” is not so called because of an 8.02 (l) violation, though that is myth that runs both wide and deep. A “catcher’s balk” results from a 7.07 violation:
7.07 If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead.
This is called the catcher’s balk because the pitcher did absolutely nothing illegal, and is charged with a balk because of the illegal act of the catcher. It’s really just a score keeping mechanism to account for R3 scoring when he otherwise wouldn’t on catcher’s interference (i.e., he was not forced).
You are certainly right about OBR 7.07 and I should have mentioned that as another way a balk is called for something done by the catcher. However, I think you are talking about 8.05(l), not 8.02(l).
8.05(l) says the same as 4.03(a) – it’s a balk on the pitcher when he pitches when the catcher is not in the catcher’s box.
Are you saying this is not called a “catcher’s balk” by many? It’s a balk for sure – and it is the fault of the catcher, not the pitcher. In fact, I have played in tournaments where they specifically stated that they are watching for the catcher’s balk – on the intentional walk. This doesn’t mean that others don’t call 7.07 a catcher’s balk. I’d say both fit the bill.
But, of course when we get technical – ONLY the pitcher can balk since it’s exactly how Rule 2.00 defines a balk: “An illegal act by the pitcher…” and what 7.07 says: “…the pitcher shall be charged with a balk…”.
Thanks for pointing out 7.07 – ain’t baseball rules great?
I certainly did mean 8.05 (l)–just a typo from using the numeric keypad.
It’s just picking nits, but yeah, people DO call that a catcher’s balk–incorrectly. It’s illegal for the pitcher to deliver when the catcher isn’t in the box, and while it may be the FAULT of the catcher, the infraction is by the PITCHER. 7.07 is the true catcher’s balk; the pitcher is charged with a balk when he does NOTHING illegal–he gets hit with a balk when the CATCHER commits the illegal action.
Speaking of nit-picking, any umpire who makes the catcher stay in the box until the pitch is RELEASED is doing exactly that. As soon as the pitcher COMMITS to the plate, good umpires will let the catcher leave the box.
I’m not terribly concerned with it; it’s a remnant from when the catcher’s box was a LOT bigger than it is now, and the catcher benefitted from having a shorter throw in picking off runners on the corners by being out of the box.