balks

Balks are the plural form of balk, a term with several distinct meanings across different domains.

In sports, a balk is an INFRACTION by the pitcher in baseball and softball, typically involving an illegal action that deceives baserunners. When a balk is called, runners may advance one base, and the pitch is ruled dead. The exact enforcement and scoring can vary by league.

In construction and timber terminology, a balk is a thick, roughly rectangular piece of timber, such as a beam, post, or sizable plank used in framing or traditional carpentry. The size and use depend on regional practice, but the concept emphasizes its bulk rather than its length.

In archaeology, balks refer to the unexcavated walls of soil that separate adjacent trenches or squares within a dig. These walls preserve stratigraphy, allow access for inspection, and can be removed later to widen exposure while maintaining reference to the original context.

As a verb, balk means to hesitate, refuse, or resist proceeding with a plan or proposal. A person may balk at a proposal, or a project may balk under pressure, indicating obstruction of progress or unwillingness to comply.

Other specialized uses exist in fields like law, where a balk can describe a stopping or obstruction behavior, though such uses are less common. Overall, balks share a core sense of obstruction, blockage, or resistance, adapted to the relevant technical context.