Glossary
Hit by pitch (HBP)
A hit by pitch (HBP) is a pitch that touches the batter, outside the strike zone, while the batter is not swinging. The batter is awarded first base; it counts as a plate appearance but not an at-bat.
When a pitch touches the batter or the batter's clothing and the batter did not swing at it, the ball is dead and the batter takes first base. Runners move up only if they are forced, the same as on a walk. The pitch does not have to hurt; a ball that grazes a loose jersey is a hit by pitch.
There are three ways it is not. If the batter swung at the pitch, it is a strike. If the pitch was in the strike zone when it touched the batter, it is a strike as well. And if the batter made no effort to get out of the way, the umpire can keep the batter at the plate and call the pitch a ball. That last one is a judgment call, and youth umpires apply it more gently than high school ones.
On the score sheet, write HBP (some scorers use HP) in the box with the line to first. Like a walk, it is a plate appearance but not an at-bat, so it does not change the batting average. It does count as a time on base for on-base percentage. With the bases loaded it forces in a run, and the batter gets an RBI for it.
For the pitcher's line, count hit batters separately from walks. A young pitcher who hits two or three batters in a game is usually rushing or opening up early, and it is worth a word between innings, both for the count and for the hitters' sake.
Examples
- A curveball that does not break hits the batter on the elbow: HBP, batter to first.
- The batter swings and the pitch hits their hand: a strike, not an HBP.
- Bases loaded, a pitch grazes the batter's jersey: HBP, a run scores, and the batter gets an RBI.
- The batter leans over the plate and a pitch in the strike zone hits them: a strike.
Put it on a card: Score sheets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a hit by pitch count as an at-bat?
No. It is a plate appearance but not an at-bat, so it does not change the batting average. It does count as a time on base in on-base percentage.
Is it a hit by pitch if the batter swings?
No. If the batter swings at a pitch that hits them, it is a strike and the ball is dead.
Does the batter have to try to get out of the way?
Under most rulebooks, yes. If the batter makes no attempt to avoid the pitch, the umpire can call it a ball and keep the batter at the plate.
How do you write a hit by pitch on a score sheet?
Write HBP (or HP) in the batter's box and draw the line to first. Our score sheets' scoring key lists it with the other codes.
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