It’s not something on any MLB fan’s wish list, but get ready for more balks in baseball in 2023.
Enforcement of this somewhat arcane and poorly understood rule has always been almost an afterthought. However, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Tuesday that, with the advent of the new MLB pitch clock, balks will become a point of emphasis this season.
The new pitch timer debuting this season requires a pitcher to throw within 15 seconds of receiving the ball with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base. With pitchers in a greater hurry to deliver, there is more potential for them to commit a balk before their pitch.
Morgan Sword, MLB’s executive vice president of operations, told reporters Tuesday that the pitch clock will transform the sport.
“Frankly, it’s probably the biggest change that’s been made in baseball in most of our lifetimes,” Sword said (via ESPN).
The balk’s intention is to keep pitchers from deceiving baserunners, and there are more than a dozen different factors an umpire can consider in calling the infraction. That includes one new guideline added this year. Pitchers are allowed two “disengagements” during each at-bat. That includes a pickoff move or step-off. A third disengagement this season will be ruled a balk, and baserunners advance one base.
So while the balk isn’t a fan favorite and slows the action, get ready to see far more balks called this season. There were only 122 balks in 2022.
“We have slipped a little bit centrally with calling the rulebook illegal pitches and balks,” Sword said.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.