Is a walk truly as good as a hit?

Question

In my mind, no, simply because a hit provides the opportunity for the defense to make a mistake.The only possible exception would be a bases loaded walk to win the game. Any other opinions?

Ooooh Trojan - that hurt. Try bringing your insults up a level.

Answer 1

I believe a walk is BETTER than a hit.

It's more psychologically damaging to a pitcher. It gives him something else to think about with the next hitter (control.) A hit might be a great pitch that the batter made a good swing on.
.

Answer 2

Most at-bats occur with the bases empty, and in that circumstance it is essentially true. The walk can even be a bit harsher, because (a) more pitches help tire the pitcher quicker and (b) the defense has NO chance to make an out.

Walks add a baserunner and do not cost (or even risk) an out. Walks are good. Dull, but good.

Most of the time a walk is equivalent to a single, and a walk is never bad. (It can sometimes be disappointing, because if first is open and the Big Guy is at the plate, the IBB becomes automatic. I remember more than once when McGwire was at his peak, the Cards runner on first would steal second, and then Mac got the intentional pass. Why Larussa allowed ANYONE to run and open up 1B for McGwire back then was a mystery; it was actually a dumb move.)

Answer 3

I think obviously a hit is better than a walk because more things can happen on a hit than a walk, that runner on second could score, the outfeilder could bobble his throw back into the infeild etc. However walks to me are still extremely important, if you take a lot of walks as a hitter, it means you have a good batting eye and a good discipline at the plate.

You won't take wild swings at those balls that are low and all most in the dirt, you are more likely to work the count full and force the pitcher into a fastball situation when you know that it's likely to come.

Walks are simply a side-effect of being a patient and productive hitter. Also if you give up a walk to Ichiro or Brian Roberts, in the right situations under 2 outs, you might as well have given up a double with Ichiro's pure speed, and B-Rob's speed and intelligence on the basepaths. Second base is about be stolen.

Answer 4

A hit is generally better than a walk. Hits can score up to four runs, walks can possibly score only one when the bases are loaded. The thing that you mentioned is a valid argument as well, hits keep defenses on their heels and increase the possibility of errors, therefore increasing run-scoring chances or advancing on error. With walks, on the other hand, no errors occur. The batter simply goes to first.

There are a few instances I can think of when walks are better than hits. Walks give a guaranteed outcome, hits not always. For example, a walk would be better if a batter is thrown out of a plate trying to score from second or first after a base hit, or if a batter is thrown out trying to extend his own hit. This is in hindsight though. I also think walks are better when the game is on the line and the pressure peaks, especially when the home team is batting. A base on balls is more psychologically devastating to the opposing pitcher than a base hit. Especially if the walk loads the bases or forces in a run.

Answer 5

If no one is on base with two outs a walk is just as good as a single, because a single still gets you to 1B.

But, lets sat its 1st and 2nd nobody out you'd rather get a single. Because a single would probably get the runner home from 2nd. But, walking would also get the bases loaded and give the next batter a opportunity to do some major damage.

Now lets say the bases are loaded. No question you want a hit over a walk.

Over all hits are better, but walks can still be considered one base advancing singles.

Answer 6

In certain situations a walk is as good as a hit and in others it is not.

No men on base, a walk is as good as a hit.

Runner on first, a base hit could move him to third. In, my opinion that means a hit is better.

Runners on first and second, a hit most likely scores a run so the hit is better.

Bases loaded a hit scores multiple runs which makes it better.

Bottom of the ninth with basess loaded tie score, a walk is as good as a hit because both get the job done.

A walk can be as productive as a hit, but a hit has the potential to do more damage. In my opinion that makes a base hit better.

Answer 7

A walk can start a rally, even with 2 outs. A walk can be better than a hit if you work the count and make the pitcher throw a lot of pitches, then get walked. A hit can really get to a pitcher though (if you know what I mean). But hey, a walk is still better than getting out.

Answer 8

Yes, it's as good as a hit. Sometimes better. Ricky Henderson changed a lot of walks into doubles. Often a hitter with fewer RBI qualifications will get a walk before a big gun comes up. In the playoffs we've seen many a pitcher begin to lose his cool after a walk.
A hit is more fun, and a single is ALWAYS as good as a walk, but never under-estimate those, oh those base on balls.

Answer 9

A walk is a guaranteed base runner. It gets you a potential run on and you can do a lot with that person depending on inning in the game, outs, who is on, and who is coming up to the plate behind them but how could getting a potential run not be a good thing? A walk is as good as a base hit.

Answer 10

A walk gets you on base, so the person behind you can drive you in. It also moves the runner(s) up (if there was someone on first to begin with) . Yes, a walk is truly good as a hit