How is a walk awarded?

• A. When the pitcher throws four balls to the batter.
• B. When the batter hits a home run.
• C. When the catcher signals for time.
• D. When the defense commits an error.

Answer: (C)

A walk is awarded when the pitcher has thrown four pitches that the umpire calls as balls to the batter. The batter is awarded first base on four balls, no matter what happened earlier in the at-bat. The catcher signaling for time or any other action does not determine a walk. A home run ends the at-bat with a score, and an error by the defense does not grant a walk. In terms of baserunners, the batter goes to first base, and any runners already on base advance only if they are forced to advance by the batter taking first base.