In baseball statistics, a base on balls (BB), also called a walk, is credited to a batter and against a pitcher when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is called a "walk" because the batter is then entitled to walk to first base, or more specifically (as defined in the rules of baseball) he is "entitled to first base without liability to be put out." Receiving a base on balls does not count as an official at bat for a batter but does count as a plate appearance. As with many sports, and perhaps even more so, statistics are very important to baseball. ... Strike zone boundaries (MLB) Definition In baseball, the strike zone is a conceptual rectangular area over home plate which defines the boundaries through which a pitch must pass in order to count as a strike when the batter does not swing. ... In baseball statistics, an at bat (AB) is used to calculate other data such as batting average. ... In baseball statistics, a player has a plate appearance (denoted by PA) every time he: Has an at bat (AB) Receives a base on balls (BB) Receives a hit by pitch (HBP) Hits a sacrifice fly (SF) Hits a sacrifice bunt (SH) Reaches base because of interference A batter does...

A pitcher can also choose to intentionally walk a batter. This is usually done for the purpose of facing a different batter that the team feels they have a better chance of getting out. In baseball statistics, an intentional base on balls (denoted by IBB), often called an intentional walk, is used in baseball to count the number of times a walk was issued with no intent of ever allowing a hit. ...

A hit by pitch is not considered a walk, though the consequences are often the same for both. In baseball, being hit by a pitch refers to the batter being hit in some part of the body by a pitch from the pitcher. ...

Walk leaders in Major League Baseball

Bold denotes active players. Totals are through the 2004 season. On July 4, 2004, Barry Bonds drew his 2,191st base on balls to pass the career record of Rickey Henderson, who is no longer active in the major leagues. July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... 2004(MMIV) is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) is a professional American baseball player for the San Francisco Giants; he is most famous for his home run hitting. ... Rickey Henderson Rickey Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958) is a professional baseball player. ...

Career

1. Barry Bonds - 2,302
2. Rickey Henderson - 2,190
3. Babe Ruth - 2,062
4. Ted Williams - 2,021
5. Joe Morgan - 1,865

Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) is a professional American baseball player for the San Francisco Giants; he is most famous for his home run hitting. ... Rickey Henderson Rickey Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958) is a professional baseball player. ... George Herman Ruth, (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948), better known as Babe Ruth and also commonly known by the nicknames The Bambino and The Sultan of Swat, was an American baseball player and United States national icon. ... Ted Williams & Tom Yawkey Theodore Samuel Williams (August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002), nicknamed The Splendid Splinter, Teddy Ballgame, The Thumper and The Kid, was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played 19 seasons, twice interrupted by military service as a Marine Corps pilot, with the Boston... Joseph Leonard Morgan (born September 19, 1943 in Bonham, Texas) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, considered by many as one of the greatest second basemen to have played the game. ...

Season

1. Barry Bonds (2004) - 232
2. Barry Bonds (2002) - 198
3. Barry Bonds (2001) - 177
4. Babe Ruth (1923) - 170
5. Mark McGwire (1998); Ted Williams (1947 and 1949) - 162

Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) is a professional American baseball player for the San Francisco Giants; he is most famous for his home run hitting. ... 2004(MMIV) is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) is a professional American baseball player for the San Francisco Giants; he is most famous for his home run hitting. ... 2002(MMII) is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24, 1964 in Riverside, California) is a professional American baseball player for the San Francisco Giants; he is most famous for his home run hitting. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... George Herman Ruth, (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948), better known as Babe Ruth and also commonly known by the nicknames The Bambino and The Sultan of Swat, was an American baseball player and United States national icon. ... 1923 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Mark McGwire hits a home run during his last Major League season in 2001 Mark David McGwire (born October 1, 1963 in Pomona, California) is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1986 through 2001. ... 1998 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Ted Williams & Tom Yawkey Theodore Samuel Williams (August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002), nicknamed The Splendid Splinter, Teddy Ballgame, The Thumper and The Kid, was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played 19 seasons, twice interrupted by military service as a Marine Corps pilot, with the Boston... 1947 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1949 is a common year starting on Saturday. ...

See also

• Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game