Overview
A hit by pitch (HBP) is recorded when a pitched ball strikes the batter, awarding first base. However, if the batter makes no effort to avoid the pitch or is hit by a ball in the strike zone, HBP is not granted. NPB's official career leaderboard lists Kazuhiro Kiyohara with 196 as of September 2, 2026, a testament to his longevity at the plate and the inside pitches he endured throughout his career. NPB's official single-season leaderboard lists LaRocca (Orix) with 28 in 2007 as the most as of the end of the 2025 season. Head injuries from HBP pose serious risks including concussions and skull fractures, and in NPB an umpire may eject a pitcher when a pitch that hits the batter in the head is judged dangerous. Some batters wear helmets fitted with a face guard. Like walks, HBP counts toward on-base percentage, making it a legitimate means of reaching base, though it carries the constant risk of injury-related absences from fractures or severe bruising.