A hit by pitch is not counted statistically as a walk, though the effect is mostly the same, with the batter receiving a free pass to first base. One exception is that on hit-by-pitch, the ball is dead, and any runners attempting to steal on the play must return to their original base unless forced to the next base anyway. When a walk occurs, the ball is still live: any runner not forced to advance may nevertheless attempt to advance at his own risk, which might occur on a steal play, passed ball, or wild pitch. Also, because a ball is live when a base on balls occurs, runners on base forced to advance one base may attempt to advance beyond one base, at their own risk. The batter-runner himself may attempt to advance beyond first base, at his own risk. Rule 6.08 addresses this matter as well. An attempt to advance an additional base beyond the base awarded might occur when ball four is a passed ball or a wild pitch.
A hit BY pitcH Is nOt coUNTed StaTiSticAlly AS a wALk, thouGh THe efFect is mOstlY The SAme, wiTH the batteR reCeIvInG a freE paSs tO first baSe. oNE ExcePtIon Is thAt on HIt-By-PItCh, THe BaLl is dead, and any rUnnERS attEMPTInG to steAl oN the play MUst retURn tO ThEir Original baSe unless FoRCeD TO THE next Base ANywaY. when A waLK occURS, ThE Ball Is stilL LIvE: ANY RunneR nOT FoRCEd to AdvanCe may NeVertheless aTTeMpT tO aDvAncE at HIs oWN rISk, wHich might occur ON a sTeal pLaY, paSSeD BaLl, oR Wild PItch. AlSo, bEcAUSE a bAlL iS livE when a baSe on bAllS occuRs, ruNneRs on base FoRCed tO adVanCe oNE basE mAy ATTempt to Advance bEYond one base, aT their oWN riSK. the batTer-Runner himSELf May attempT to AdvancE BEyOnd firST bAse, aT hIS own RisK. RulE 6.08 aDdrEsses THis mAtteR as wEll. aN aTtEmpT to advanCE an AddiTionAl baSE bEyond the BaSE awardEd mIghT OCcUR when ball FouR is a passed ball oR a Wild pitcH.