Posted By:
Brian"And I may be a bit simplistic, but the way I see it is ---> when you come up to bat, if you get a hit, you have been successful, if you don't, then maybe there is an alibi, such as a walk, got hit by the pitch, advanced a runner, or some other excuse, but you are supposed to get a hit."
I look at it differently. A batter is supposed to not make an out. I don't consider a walk or hit batter to be an "excuse" as it accomplishes the same purpose -- to not make an out.
If a batter doesn't make an out he is successful (due to hit, walk, or HB).