A balk is an illegal motion or action by a pitcher in baseball that constitutes a violation of the rules. It is called by an umpire when a pitcher makes an illegal motion on the mound that the umpire deems to be deceitful to the runner(s) . The balk rule is in place to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner. The pitcher is restricted to a certain set of motions and one of two basic pitching positions before and during a pitch. If these regulations are violated with one or more runners on base, an umpire may call a balk. The most common type of balk is when a pitcher moves off the pitching plate in any direction prior to delivering the ball to home plate. If a balk is enforced, the pitch is generally nullified, each runner is awarded one base, and the batter remains at bat with the previous count. The major league record for the most balks in one game is held by Bob Shaw, who had five balks in a May 4, 1963, game while pitching for the Milwaukee Braves against ... .