Balk
An illegal motion by the pitcher with runners on base, resulting in all runners advancing one base. Common causes include failing to come set or faking a throw to first.
Why "Balk" Matters
Understanding balk helps you follow pitching situations during a baseball game. Pair this with our rules guide, positions overview, and the full baseball glossary.
Related Pitching Terms
- Ace
The best starting pitcher on a team's roster, typically the one who starts on Opening Day and in crucial playoff games. - Bullpen
The area where relief pitchers warm up, and also a collective term for a team's group of relief pitchers. - Changeup
An off-speed pitch designed to look like a fastball but arrive 8-12 mph slower, disrupting the batter's timing. - Complete Game
When a starting pitcher pitches the entire game without being relieved. Increasingly rare in modern baseball.