OBR 5.05(b)(2)
Hit by pitch
A batter touched by a pitch takes first base — as long as he was in a legal position and made some attempt to get out of the way. If the pitch was in the strike zone or he swung, it is a strike instead, and no base is awarded.
Key points
- Any contact with the batter's body or uniform counts — a pitch that grazes a jersey is a hit by pitch.
- A pitch that bounces first still counts if it then hits the batter.
- Ball in the strike zone when it hits him: dead-ball strike, no base.
- Swinging when hit: dead-ball strike (strike three if applicable), no base.
- No attempt to avoid: the umpire can keep him at the plate and call a ball — rare, but it is in the book.
- The ball is dead; other runners advance only if forced.
In a game
Batter leans into a breaking ball over the inside corner and lets it clip his elbow pad.
Ruling · If the umpire judges he made no attempt to avoid — or that the pitch was in the zone — he stays in the box. Otherwise, first base.
Why it moves the scoreboard
A free baserunner that counts as a plate appearance but not an at-bat — and a forced walk-in run with the bases loaded is a run like any other.
Related rules