What happens when a batter is hit by a pitch?

What happens when a batter is hit by a pitch?

• A. The batter is awarded first base.
• B. The batter is out.
• C. The ball is live and the play continues.
• D. Batter is declared out and ball is dead.

Answer: (A)

When a pitched ball touches the batter, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base. This is treated like a free base for the batter, and any runners on base advance only if they’re forced by that new runner occupying first. There is no out recorded for the batter in this situation. So, it isn’t an out, and the play doesn’t continue with live action. The correct outcome is the batter taking first base and the ball becoming dead.

When a pitched ball touches the batter, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base. This is treated like a free base for the batter, and any runners on base advance only if they’re forced by that new runner occupying first. There is no out recorded for the batter in this situation.

So, it isn’t an out, and the play doesn’t continue with live action. The correct outcome is the batter taking first base and the ball becoming dead.