Question: In high school baseball, during an intentional walk, is it possible for a catcher’s balk to be called?
Answer: In high school the ball is dead during an intentional base on balls as the catcher/coach simply requests batter to be awarded first base. No pitches need to be thrown (BB- Rule 2-4-3) In MLB, a balk is called during an intentional base on balls (live ball) if catcher leaves box prior to pitcher making any motion to pitch. Although catcher violated rule, balk is assessed to pitcher with runner on base. (MLB- Rule 8.05(1), 4.03 (a) Item dedicated to G. Kouvel.
Question: In high school softball, with runners on base, is a balk call possible for a pitching violation?
Answer: In high school softball (F.P.), infractions by pitchers with runners on base are penalized with the call of illegal pitch not balk. This is a delayed dead ball call with offense being given choice of possible result of play or accepting penalty (ball on batter and runners advancing one base). (Rule 6, Sec. 2, Art. 1 & 2)