HitbyPitches

Hitbypitches, commonly written as hit by pitches and abbreviated HBP, refers to the event in baseball when a pitched ball makes contact with a batter, allowing the batter to reach base without recording an out. The ball is ruled dead at contact, and the batter is awarded first base provided the batter did not intentionally swing at the pitch.

HBPs are recorded as a separate on-base event and do not count as an official at bat. They contribute to a player's on-base percentage and are charged to the pitcher who delivered the pitch. The batter’s statistics are updated to reflect the reached base, while the team’s inning and outs are managed as usual.

In practice, a hit by pitch occurs when the pitch touches the batter in fair or foul territory and the batter has not made an attempt to swing at the ball. Situations may vary, but the standard outcome is the batter taking first base and the play being ruled dead. HBPs can arise from pitches in or near the strike zone and may be influenced by a batter’s stance, plate approach, or the pitcher’s repertoire.

Historically, HBPs have been a recognized component of baseball statistics since the 19th century, with players accumulating HBPs at varying rates across seasons and careers. Teams monitor HBPs for safety and durability concerns, as frequent HBPs can reflect plate discipline, crowding at the plate, or pitching strategy, but they are not considered a negative outcome in the same way as errors or outs.