Balks and "No Balks"

[LRZ]

I work two youth leagues, one under Babe Ruth rules (which are based on OBR) and the other under "normal" rules ("normal" OBR or FED is not clear; I always assumed OBR). Both leagues require one balk warning per pitcher or per team; when a warning is issued, no runners may advance, the batter returns to the plate, and the pitch is a "no pitch"--essentially a "do-over." But, assuming OBR governs, where the BR and runners all advance at least one base, do you "proceed without reference to the balk" [OBR 6.02(a) Penalty], and let the play stand? In these circumstances, which neither league addresses, to warn and return runners would be to reward the balking team and penalize the "innocent" offense.

If there is a warning, the ball is dead, and everyone returns; if the balk is ignored because the batter and runners all advance, it is as if the balk never occurred--no balk, no warning, play stands. Bases loaded, the pitcher balks, the hitter puts one over the fence, the runs are erased, everyone returns, and we do a "do-over"? That doesn't seem right. I appreciate that this can be tricky: B1 singles, and R2 is thrown out at the plate--play stands.

 

In FED, which I do not work, am I correct that a balk is an immediate dead ball, so that this situation would not occur? My reading of the OBR-based rule (Babe Ruth has the same "without reference" language), seems reasonable and fair, but I'm interested in other opinions and interpretations.

[maven]

8 minutes ago, LRZ said:

If there is a warning, the ball is dead, and everyone returns; if the balk is ignored because the batter and runners all advance, it is as if the balk never occurred--no balk, no warning, play stands. Bases loaded, the pitcher balks, the hitter puts one over the fence, the runs are erased, everyone returns, and we do a "do-over"? That doesn't seem right. I appreciate that this can be tricky: B1 singles, and R2 is thrown out at the plate--play stands.

Proceeding without reference to the balk means that the play stands, not a "do over." As you suggest, that would penalize the offense for an infraction by the defense.

In this play, if F1 (say) fails to stop and delivers a pitch (balk), in case the batter homers, the balk would be ignored and 4 runs would score. You have the second play correct: I'm not sure why you think the first play would be different.

The trickier part of the rule is the provision that dictates when the ball becomes dead in cases where F1 does NOT pitch to the batter.

[LRZ]

Maybe I was not clear, but I do not think the plays are different, although some coaches (surprise!) and umpires* disagree: the first play reflected their opinions, not mine. As I've always applied the rule, if everyone advances, ignore the balk, and the play stands; if everyone does not advance at least one base, apply the balk warning and return the runners.

I don't see the rule as tricky if F1 does not pitch; not everyone (i.e., the batter) advances, so we warn and runners return. That's the way both leagues want the call made, apparently as a learning experience. When in Rome....

* FWIW, most of my colleagues are not great scholars of the game.

[Richvee]

13 hours ago, LRZ said:

if everyone does not advance at least one base, apply the balk warning and return the runners

R1, R3. R1 takes off for 2B while F1 is set. (very common at the levels where warnings are given). F1 balks as he doesn't disengage properly, or spins to 1B and doesn't throw. R1 makes it to 2B anyway. Do you give the warning and send R1 back to 1B?  Offense penalized for a balk warning. If I'm doing a game with warnings, if the rules aren't specific about what to do when a balk warning is called while a runner is attempting to advance, I make it a point to go over it at the plate meeting. "A runner stealing a base when a balk warning is given will be entitled to the base he is advancing to."