Fielders Balk

[UmpJM]

JLG,

You can not find an OBR rule specifying a penalty for this because it does not exist.

There is a rule that says all members of the defense (other than the catcher) must position themselves in fair territory when the ball is put in play:

"4.03
When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory."

The only "penalty" is that if a fielder does not line up in fair territory, the umpire may instruct him to do so. I suppose that willful refusal to comply with the umpire's instruction could eventually lead to the player's ejection.

Generally, this requirement is ignored unless one manager or the other requests that the umpire enforce it. Then it is strictly enforced for both teams.

Under OBR, this is never properly ruled a balk.

JM