Baseball Walks (2024)

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In baseball, hits and walks are the way that most players reach a base. Walks are awarded when a pitcher throws too many balls outside the strike zone. Keep reading to learn more about the rules, gameplay, and scoring of walks in baseball.

• What Is a Walk in Baseball?
• Intentional Walk
• Can Runs Be Scored Through Walks?
• Does a Walk Count as a Base?
• Baseball Walks Summary
• FAQ

What Is a Walk in Baseball?

In baseball, a walk (also known as a “base-on-balls”), is when a batter is automatically entitled to reach first base.A walk can be drawn in a few different ways. The most common way is when the pitcher throws four pitches outside of the strike zone that the batter does not swing at (which are known as “balls,” hence “base-on-balls). First base can also be given to the batter in other situations, such as when the pitch is thrown outside the strike zone and hits the batter (though this is recorded as a hit-by-pitch).When a batter draws a walk, they are not credited with an at-bat. Rather, it counts as a plate appearance.

Intentional Walk

Sometimes, if the pitcher is facing an especially skilled and powerful hitter, and there are runners on base, the pitcher will purposely throw four balls in a row and give that player a walk.This is to take away the batter's opportunity to hit a home run or another powerful hit that would drive the base runners home.

Can Runs Be Scored Through Walks?

Yes, a run can be scored on a walk if the bases are loaded.When a batter who draws a walk advances to first base, and there is already a runner on first base, that runner is pushed to second base. If there is a runner on second base, they must advance to third base, and so on. If a batter draws a walk when the bases are loaded (a runner occupies each base), all the runners must advance, including the runner at third base, who advances to home plate and scores. This does not happen very often, but it does occur every once in a while.

Does a Walk Count as a Base?

In baseball statistics, scoring, and gambling, a walk does not count as a base.Bases are only awarded for hits (singles, doubles, triples, and home runs). Walks, including intentional walks, and bases reached as the result of an error do not count as bases.

Baseball Walks Summary

• A walk is when a batter is automatically given the right to take first base.
• A walk is also sometimes called a “base-on-balls” (BB).
• The most common way to draw a walk is when a pitcher throws four balls (pitches that are outside the strike zone, but the batter does not swing at).
• A “walk” can also occur if a batter is struck by a pitch. However, this is recorded as a hit-by-pitch (HBP).
• Walks do not count as an at-bat, a hit, or a base, but they do count as a plate appearance.
• When a walk occurs, if there is a player on first base, they must move to second, and so on.
• Sometimes, pitchers may intentionally walk a player if they have a high chance of scoring a home run, in order to prevent the home run.

FAQ

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Pages Related to Baseball Walks

• Baseball Timeout Rules
• Baseball Wild Pitch Rules
• Baseball Windup Position Rules
• Basic Rules of Baseball
• Baseball Three-Batter Minimum Rule
• Baseball Umpires

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