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What Is a Hit by Pitch (HBP) in Baseball?

By Updated 2 min readBaseball

Quick answer

When a pitch touches a batter who isn’t swinging, the batter is awarded first base, unless the ball was in the strike zone or the batter made no attempt to avoid it.

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What is Hit by Pitch
In this article
  1. The rule
  2. Hit by pitch vs. hit off the hands
  3. How HBP counts in stats
  4. When hit batters lead to trouble
  5. Protecting hitters
  6. Related terms
  7. Frequently asked questions
    1. What happens if a batter is hit by a pitch?
    2. What if the batter swings and the pitch hits him?
    3. Does a hit by pitch count as an at-bat?
    4. Does a pitch that hits the batter's jersey count?

A hit by pitch (HBP) is when a pitch touches a batter who isn't swinging. The ball is dead and the batter goes to first base, as long as the pitch wasn't in the strike zone and the batter tried to get out of the way. It's recorded as HBP in the box score.

Hitter in his stance at the plate

The rule

A batter is awarded first base when he's touched by a pitch, unless:

  • The pitch is in the strike zone when it hits him (it's a strike), or
  • He makes no attempt to avoid the pitch (it's a ball), or
  • He swings at the pitch (it's a strike).

The pitch can hit him on the fly or after bouncing, and it can touch his body, uniform or equipment. Forced runners advance one base.

Hit by pitch vs. hit off the hands

If the pitch hits the batter's hands while he's swinging, it's a strike. If it hits his hands while he's holding the bat still, it's a hit by pitch. If it hits the bat first, it's a foul ball or a ball in play.

How HBP counts in stats

  • Not an at-bat: it doesn't change batting average.
  • Counts as on base: it raises on-base percentage, just like a walk.
  • Pitchers' stats: recorded as HBP; it's also a sign of control trouble.

The career record belongs to 1890s star Hughie Jennings (287), and Craig Biggio (285) holds the modern record.

Young hitter at the plate

When hit batters lead to trouble

If an umpire thinks a pitcher hit a batter on purpose, he can eject the pitcher or warn both teams. Repeated hit batters, especially near the head, lead to chin music debates, retaliation and sometimes charging the mound.

Protecting hitters

A batting helmet with a jaw guard and an elbow guard protect the spots that get hit most. Young hitters should learn to turn away from an inside pitch, tucking the chin and turning the back toward the pitcher, instead of freezing.

More definitions: baseball terms explained.

MLB Intentionally Hit Batters ᴴᴰ

Frequently asked questions

What happens if a batter is hit by a pitch?

The ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base, as long as he wasn't swinging, the pitch wasn't in the strike zone and he tried to avoid it. Forced runners move up one base.

What if the batter swings and the pitch hits him?

It's a strike, not a hit by pitch, and the ball is dead.

Does a hit by pitch count as an at-bat?

No. It's a plate appearance but not an at-bat, so it doesn't affect batting average. It does count toward on-base percentage.

Does a pitch that hits the batter's jersey count?

Yes. A pitch that touches the batter's uniform or equipment counts as hitting him, even if it barely grazes a loose jersey.

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