What defines an illegal pitch compared to a balk?

An illegal pitch is defined as a pitch delivered by the pitcher that violates the rules set forth for proper delivery. This type of pitch can occur with or without runners on base, which is a crucial distinction. In contrast, a balk is specifically related to the actions of the pitcher while there are runners on base and is typically viewed as a deceptive action that may unfairly advantage the batter or runners.

The clarity that an illegal pitch can happen regardless of the presence of runners makes it distinct from a balk, which concerns the dynamics and legality of actions performed while runners are on base. Understanding that an illegal pitch acts independently of runner situations helps clarify the broader context of pitch legality in the game.

Additionally, while a balk results in penalties that may influence gameplay, not all illegal pitches are treated with equivalent consequences; thus, the notion that all illegal pitches result in a specific outcome, such as awarding a ball, does not apply universally, further underscoring the accuracy of identifying an illegal pitch as occurring in both scenarios.