Overview
A hit by pitch (dead ball) occurs when a pitched ball strikes the batter, automatically awarding first base. Hit-by-pitches are an unavoidable part of baseball, caused by control lapses, batters failing to evade, or deliberate retaliation. The most dangerous hit-by-pitches target the batter's head area. NPB enforces a strict 'dangerous ball' rule: when a pitch near the head strikes the batter, the pitcher is immediately ejected regardless of intent. This regulation places player safety above all other considerations. Hit-by-pitches can dramatically alter a game's atmosphere. A hit-by-pitch on a star player may provoke retaliation from the opposing team, escalating tensions. While MLB retains a deeply rooted culture of retaliatory plunking, NPB exercises comparatively greater restraint. For batters, getting hit by a pitch is also a means of reaching base. Some hitters develop a reputation for 'leaning in' to borderline pitches, and players with high seasonal HBP totals contribute meaningfully to on-base percentage. Kazuhiro Kiyohara holds the career record with 196 hit-by-pitches, a mark that testifies to both courage and endurance at the plate.