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I used to think in my first or second year that player reactions normally indicated what happened (ball of the foot, etc.) until I saw that youtube with the OK player who acted like he was HBP immediately, and replays showed he wasn't. Players have gotten used to trying to buy the call right away.
It seemed like the way Saltalamacchia scrambled for the ball right away that he at least didn't assume a foul ball, so it was probably indistinguishable to anybody but the batter. And as stated above, I don't necessarily believe him, but don't disbelieve him either. No different than a close banger to end the game I suppose.
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