What is bb in baseball?

In baseball, "BB" stands for base on balls, also known as a walk. It's awarded to a batter when a pitcher throws four balls (pitches outside the strike zone) before throwing three strikes. The batter is then automatically awarded first base.

Here's what's important to know about BBs:

• It's a free base: The batter doesn't need to hit the ball to reach base.
• It's a statistic: BBs are tracked for both batters (showing their patience and ability to draw walks) and pitchers (indicating their control). A high number of walks given up by a pitcher is generally considered a negative.
• Strategic implications: A manager might intentionally walk a batter (often referred to as an "intentional walk" or IBB) to get to a more favorable matchup later in the lineup.
• Run scoring potential: A walk puts a runner on base, increasing the chances of scoring runs. A walk with bases loaded results in a run.

In short, a BB is a significant event in baseball that reflects both offensive and pitching performance.