There is an important distinction between a "_balk_" and an "_illegal delivery_." A "_balk_" is made when the pitcher makes a motion to deliver the ball to the bat without following such motion with actual delivery, or if he holds the ball in his hand long enough to unnecessarily delay the game. An "_illegal delivery_" is made when the pitcher steps out of his "box" in delivery, or lifts his rear foot from the ground before the ball leaves his hand--his lifting his foot afterward is of no account--or if he fails to pause before delivery after making a feint to throw to a base. In the case of a "balk," every occupant of a base, as a base runner, becomes entitled to one base, whether forced by the batsman or not. But the batsman cannot take a base on a "balk." In the case of an "illegal delivery," however, while occupants of bases can only take a base on such delivery in case of being "forced off," the batsman is given a base on such illegal delivery. While an "illegal delivery" is in the nature of a balk, it is not an actual "balk" as technically termed in the rules. DEAD BALLS. The ball cannot be used to put a player on the batting side out, either in the case of a batted ball to foul ground not caught on the fly; a called _foul strike_; a runner being hit by a batted ball; a pitched ball striking the batsman, or striking his bat without being intentionally struck at; or from the ball striking the umpire while he is on foul ground, before it passes the catcher; or, in the case of a called block ball, until said ball is _first held by the pitcher while standing within his position_. THE FOUL TIP CATCH. The elimination of the sharp foul-tip catch from the rules will necessitate the placing of a white line, forming a half circle, within a radius of ten feet from the home base, and located on foul ground, as it is only foul tips caught within ten feet of the home base which do not put the batsman out. THE BLOCKING OF BALLS.