With a runner on first base and the ball in the first baseman's glove, the pitcher places his feet astride the pitcher's plate. This is:

With a runner on first base and the ball in the first baseman's glove, the pitcher places his feet astride the pitcher's plate. This is:

• A. This is a legal play.
• B. It is a balk.
• C. It is a legal pitch to second base.
• D. It is a ball.

Answer: (B)

A balk occurs when the pitcher, while in contact with the pitcher's plate and with a runner on base, uses an illegal pitching action. Placing both feet astride the pitcher's plate is not a legal stance for delivering a pitch; it’s considered an illegal position that could deceive baserunners. Because this is an illegal motion with a runner on base, the ball is dead and the runners advance one base. So the runner on first moves to second. No ball or strike is charged, and no pitch is delivered.

A balk occurs when the pitcher, while in contact with the pitcher's plate and with a runner on base, uses an illegal pitching action. Placing both feet astride the pitcher's plate is not a legal stance for delivering a pitch; it’s considered an illegal position that could deceive baserunners. Because this is an illegal motion with a runner on base, the ball is dead and the runners advance one base. So the runner on first moves to second. No ball or strike is charged, and no pitch is delivered.