Is there a "hypernym" for "free base."

Question

Is there a common word for "base on (four) balls," hit by pitch, balk, or anything else that might let a batter get on first base without hitting the ball? The term I liked to use was "walk," but I've been told that is synonymous with "base on balls," and doesn't include the others.

Or does it?

Answer 1

No. There really isn't a hypernym for it. Generally they are regarded seperately. There are 4 ways to reach base without putting the ball in play.

• 4 balls (a walk), this can be from 4 pitches out of the zone or a balk resulting in ball 4
• HBP (when the batter is hit by the ball)
• Catcher's interference. Not a common result in MLB but relatively common in little league play. If catcher contacts the batter, the batter is awarded first base. (though like a balk, if live play results and the batting team benefits, they can choose to keep the results of the play).
• A 3rd strike is dropped and the batter makes it to first base safely. (still scored as a strikeout, just without the out, factored as a K in the batters OBP too)

There really isn't a single word that sums all of these up.