What is bb in baseball?

In baseball, BB stands for Base on Balls, also known as a Walk. It occurs when a batter receives four pitches outside of the strike zone from the pitcher during a single at-bat. The batter is then awarded first base without the opportunity to hit the ball.

Here are some key aspects of a walk:

  • Definition: As mentioned above, a Base%20on%20Balls is awarded after four pitches are called as balls by the home plate umpire.

  • Effect on Game: A walk advances the batter to first base, potentially leading to scoring opportunities if other runners are on base. It can also influence strategic decisions by the managers of both teams.

  • Statistics: Walks are a recognized statistic for both batters and pitchers. For batters, it indicates plate discipline and the ability to draw walks. For pitchers, a high number of walks suggests control issues. The statistic of walks per nine innings (BB/9) is commonly used to evaluate a pitcher's control.

  • Intentional Walk: An Intentional%20Walk is a strategic move where the defending team chooses to walk the batter intentionally, bypassing the need for the pitcher to throw four balls. This is usually done to avoid a dangerous hitter or to set up a more favorable defensive matchup.