<P> MLB rules state that: "Pitchers shall take signs from the catcher while in contact with the pitcher's plate" (the rubber), but the rules do not describe infraction as a balk . </P> <Ul> <Li> The Major League record for career balks is held by Steve Carlton, with 90 . </Li> <Li> The Major League record in a single season is held by Dave Stewart, who had 16 balks in 1988 while pitching for the Oakland Athletics . </Li> <Li> 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 the Chicago Cubs . Four of the five balks came when the Cubs' Billy Williams was on base: one in the first inning, then three more in the third inning . In the latter frame, Shaw walked Williams, and then proceeded to balk him to second, third and home . Shaw's balks were blamed on his difficulty adjusting to a then - new point of emphasis in the rules: umpires were told to enforce the section of the balk rule strictly that required the pitcher, when going from the stretch to the set position, to come to a complete stop with his hands together for one full second before pitching . The rule had been virtually ignored before . </Li> <Li> Knuckleballer Charlie Hough was once called for nine balks in a single Major League exhibition game . Hough was called for seven balks in a single inning of the game as umpires set out to "enforce a full set position" for the coming season . </Li> </Ul> <Li> The Major League record for career balks is held by Steve Carlton, with 90 . </Li> <Li> The Major League record in a single season is held by Dave Stewart, who had 16 balks in 1988 while pitching for the Oakland Athletics . </Li>

Who has the most balks in baseball history