In baseball statistics, BB stands for “Base on Balls,” which is the official term for a walk.
It occurs when a pitcher throws four pitches outside the strike zone that the batter does not swing at. The batter is then awarded first base without the possibility of being put out.
The Simple Rule: Four “Balls”
A “ball” is a pitch that is thrown outside the strike zone that the batter does not swing at. The strike zone is a conceptual area over home plate between the batter’s armpits and the top of their knees.
The process is straightforward:
- The pitcher throws a pitch outside the strike zone, and the batter doesn’t swing = Ball 1.
- This happens again = Ball 2.
- And again = Ball 3.
- And once more = Ball 4.
On the fourth “ball,” the umpire calls “Ball four!” and points to first base. The batter is now a baserunner and can advance to first base unimpeded.
Why It’s a Strategic Part of the Game
A walk (BB) is not an error or a simple mistake; it’s a fundamental strategic outcome.
For the Batter (Hitter):
A “BB” is a positive result. The primary goal of an at-bat is to get on base, and a walk achieves this without the batter having to put the ball in play. It demonstrates a good “eye” at the plate, meaning the batter has the discipline to lay off pitches that are difficult to hit hard. A player who draws a lot of walks typically has a high On-Base Percentage (OBP), a key metric of offensive value.
For the Pitcher:
A “BB” is a negative result. It represents a loss of control and command. Walking a batter extends the inning, increases the pitcher’s pitch count (leading to earlier fatigue), and forces them to face the next hitter with a runner on base. In high-pressure situations, walking a batter can be a critical mistake that leads to a big inning for the opposing team.
How “BB” is Used in Statistics
You will see “BB” prominently featured in baseball box scores and player stat lines:
- In a Box Score: Next to a player’s name, you might see
AB: 4 R: 1 H: 1 BB: 1. This means the player had 4 at-bats, scored 1 run, got 1 hit, and had 1 walk. - Pitching Stats: For a pitcher, BB represents the number of walks they have allowed. A low walk total is a sign of good control.
- Hitting Stats: For a batter, BB is a counting stat that contributes to their overall value. The league leaders in walks are often among the most feared and patient hitters in the game.
BB vs. IBB (Intentional Base on Balls)
Sometimes, a team will strategically choose to walk a batter on purpose. This is called an Intentional Base on Balls (IBB).
Why would a team do this?
- To set up a potential double play (by putting a force-out at second base).
- To face a weaker hitter next.
- To avoid letting a particularly dangerous power hitter (like Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani) beat them in a crucial situation.
An IBB is typically signaled by the catcher standing up and holding his glove arm fully outside the strike zone. The pitcher then throws four wide pitches deliberately. Since 2017, MLB has also allowed a manager to simply signal for an intentional walk from the dugout, granting the batter first base without the need to throw the four pitches, speeding up the game.
In statistics, an IBB is counted as a BB for the batter and the pitcher, but it is also tracked separately as its own category (IBB).
Key Takeaway
In short, BB means “walk.” It’s a fundamental part of baseball strategy, rewarding a batter’s patience and discipline while penalizing a pitcher’s lack of control. It’s a deceptively simple event that can have a major impact on the flow and outcome of a game.
