Catchers balk?

Question

What si the penalty for a catchers/

Answer 1

CATCHERS CAN BALK!!!!

Catcher's balk:
A rarely called violation of catcher's interference charged as a balk when a catcher leaves the catcher's box before the pitch is delivered, especially on an Intentional Base On Balls (IBB). The balk penalty would award the batter first base and any runners would advance.

[Official Baseball Rules, 2004 Edition, published by Triumph Books], Rule 4.03(a)

Answer 2

Everybody is sorta right, but sorta wrong also!

By definition, a BALK is an act that can only be commited by a pitcher, and ONLY if runner(s) are on base. No runners, no balk.

An ILLEGAL PITCH can occur with, or without runners on. If an illegal pitch occurs with runner(s) on base, the balk is called. Otherwise, it is just the IP, ball on the batter.

A catcher must set up in the catchers box until the pitch is released, (you see them do that on an intentional walk). If the catcher is OUT of the box before the release, that is illegal. The penalty is then an ILLEGAL PITCH, which if runners are on base would then be called a balk. The balk is against the pitcher even though the catcher screwed up. Why? Because the rule is written to say the pitcher can not deliver the pitch until the catcher is in the box. Note also, any player (first basemen do it some) who sets up in foul territory cause the IP also!

Answer 3

A catchers balk carries the same penalty as a pitchers. One base for all runners.
A catcher is required to stay inside the white lines of the catchers box behind the plate until the ball is released by the pitcher. The only time I have ever seen it called was during an attempt at an intentional walk, it was the bottom of the inning in a extra inning game with a runner on third - game over. I thought the coach was going to kill the ump.

Answer 4

A catcher cannot balk. The pitcher is the only player who can possibly commit a balk.

Answer 5

the pitcher is the only player on the field that can commit a balk.
When a pitcher comes set on the pitching rubber, he must come home, or step off the rubber. if he makes any motion after coming set and does not throw home, this is a balk.

The catcher can move around as much as he wants and never has to be in the same place.

The only foul a catcher can commit is catcher's interference. This happens when the catcher or any part of him interferes with the batters swing.

The most common catchers interference is a catcher reaching out to catch the ball and the batter swings and hits his glove.

Answer 6

Only the pitcher can balk.

Answer 7

catchers cant balk

Answer 8

Only pitchers can be penalized for a "balk"

Answer 9

Catchers can only be guilty of interfering with a hitter or runner.

Answer 10

they do not balk