<P> The term "base on balls" distinguishes a walk from the other manners in which a batter can be awarded first base without liability to be put out (e.g., hit by pitch (HBP), catcher's interference). Though a base on balls, catcher's interference, or a batter hit by a pitched ball all result in the batter (and possibly runners on base) being awarded a base, the term "walk" usually refers only to a base on balls, and not the other methods of reaching base without the bat touching the ball . An important difference is that for a hit batter or catcher's interference, the ball is dead and no one may advance unless forced; the ball is live after a walk (see below for details). </P> <P> A batter who draws a base on balls is commonly said to have been "walked" by the pitcher . When the batter is walked, runners advance one base without liability to be put out only if forced to vacate their base to allow the batter to take first base . If a batter draws a walk with the bases loaded, all preceding runners are forced to advance, including the runner on third base who is forced to home plate to score a run; when a run is forced on a walk, the batter is credited with an RBI per rule 10.04 . </P> <P> Receiving a base on balls does not count as a hit or an at bat for a batter but does count as a time on basebut doesn't count as a plate appearance . Therefore, a base on balls does not affect a player's batting average, but it can increase his on - base percentage . </P> <P> A hit by pitch is not counted statistically as a walk, though the effect is mostly the same, with the batter receiving a free pass to first base . One exception is that on a HBP (hit - by - pitch), the ball is dead . On a HBP, any runners attempting to steal on the play must return to their original base unless forced to the next base anyway . When a walk occurs, the ball is still live: any runner not forced to advance may nevertheless attempt to advance at his own risk, which might occur on a steal play, passed ball, or wild pitch . Also, because a ball is live when a base on balls occurs, runners on base forced to advance one base may attempt to advance beyond one base, at their own risk . The batter - runner himself may attempt to advance beyond first base, at his own risk . Rule 6.08 addresses this matter as well . An attempt to advance an additional base beyond the base awarded might occur when ball four is a passed ball or a wild pitch . </P>

How does a walk affect your batting average