Overview
A walk (base on balls) occurs when a pitcher throws four pitches outside the strike zone, awarding the batter first base. It does not count as an at-bat, so it doesn't affect batting average, but it is reflected in on-base percentage. NPB's career record is Sadaharu Oh's 2,390 walks-a testament to his batting eye alongside his 868 career home runs. Oh also received 427 intentional walks, illustrating how often opponents refused to pitch to him. Sabermetrics highly values the ability to draw walks, with metrics like BB/K (walk-to-strikeout ratio) and BB% (walk rate per plate appearance) serving as key indicators. Since the 2000s, OBP-focused hitting philosophy has permeated NPB, and plate discipline-not swinging at balls outside the zone-is now recognized as a fundamental batting skill. A bases-loaded walk can even produce a walk-off victory, making it one of the outcomes pitchers most want to avoid.