I don't really ever look to "work the count for a walk". In some situations, like what was described by the OP, I'll go out to the plate and tell myself, "I am not swinging at the first pitch, unless it is exactly what I want.", or "I'm not swinging until I get a called strike...." I also do this if the guy in front of me walks on 3 straight pitches. Last fall in Vegas the guy in front of me walked on three straight pitches to put 2 guys on. Walking out to the plate, I told myself exactly that....... Then saw the pitch I wanted and hit it up in the net. I came back and the guy that runs our teams said, "If you're going to do that, you better hit it out of the park......." I don't ever try to "work the count" because if there's a dinger left I can tie the game. If there isn't there's also a great chance I hit a double and get myself in scoring position with one swing. Even though a walk avoids an out, it's still just one base. Normally it will take two more clean base hits to get you home.