Can someone explain to me why a balk is not one of the 5 ways to get to first base without hitting the ball?
Yes.
Because under the Balk Rule, only runners advance on a balk. The batter stays where he is – at the plate.
Exception:
If the batter hits a balk and he gets to first and all runners advance at least one base, then the balk is nullified.
Zev Steinhardt
Source: MLB Rules, chapter 8 (see Rule 8.05)
As for the rationale:
The balk rule is designed to prevent the pitcher from deceiving the runner. Therefore, as an offense against the runner, it is the runner who profits from the violation. Since the action does nothing to the batter, the batter gains nothing from the violation.
(I should have thought of this before I posted last time).
Zev Steinhardt
Welcome to the SDMB, and thank you for posting your comment.
Please include a link to Cecil’s column if it’s on the straight dope web site.
To include a link, it can be as simple as including the web page location in your post (make sure there is a space before and after the text of the URL).
Cecil’s column can be found on-line at this link:
What are 5 ways to get to 1st without hitting the ball?
The column can also be found on page 299 of Cecil Adams’ book «The Straight Dope».
moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns»
[Edited by Arnold Winkelried on 04-25-2001 at 09:55 AM]
Hold on a minute! I knew there was an update to the first Straight Dope column.
Here’s the updated column:
What are the five ways to get to first base without hitting the ball (revisited)? (18-Aug-2000)
There was also a discussion of the subject in this thread:
What are 5 ways to get to 1st without hitting the ball?