[lex24]

I think the logic is that a walk gets the runner to first base 100% of the time, but a ball hit into play will result in an out ~70% of the time (a typical batting average of balls hit into play is .300).  However, the way Lex phrased it is wrong; a single and walk are close to equivalent (not quite, because a walk will only advance a runner who can be forced to advance one base, while a single will almost always advance a runner, and can advance a runner more than one base).  The issue is that when you put the ball in play, you cannot guarantee a single.  On the other hand, a typical plate appearance will draw around 4 pitches, while the minimum pitch count for a walk is 4, so under the theory that getting the pitcher to pitch more pitches is good, a walk has that advantage over a single.

BC

I don’t believe that “a walk is as good as a hit”. That was not my point.  My point is the value of a walk has risen considerably.  And the value of a single has dropped. In the minds of those that run the game. 

Taking close pitches with 2 strikes is another change. Taking a called third used to be heavily frowned upon. So you swung if it was close with two strikes.  Now, not such a big deal.  Take the pitch.  You probably aren’t going to hit it anyway….

[lex24]

I think the logic is that a walk gets the runner to first base 100% of the time, but a ball hit into play will result in an out ~70% of the time (a typical batting average of balls hit into play is .300).  However, the way Lex phrased it is wrong; a single and walk are close to equivalent (not quite, because a walk will only advance a runner who can be forced to advance one base, while a single will almost always advance a runner, and can advance a runner more than one base).  The issue is that when you put the ball in play, you cannot guarantee a single.  On the other hand, a typical plate appearance will draw around 4 pitches, while the minimum pitch count for a walk is 4, so under the theory that getting the pitcher to pitch more pitches is good, a walk has that advantage over a single.

BC

I don’t believe that “a walk is as good as a hit”. That was not my point.  My point is the value of a walk has risen considerably.  And the value of a single has dropped. In the minds of those that run the game. 

Taking close pitches with 2 strikes is another change. Taking a called third used to be heavily frowned upon. So you swung if it was close with two strikes.  Now, not such a big deal.  Take the pitch.  You probably aren’t going to hit it anyway….