Hit by pitch

[BretMan]

While a batter is required to avoid a pitch, not stated by the rule but something an umpire might want to consider: Was the pitch, in fact, avoidable?

With a pitch right at the batter, in most cases no amount of contortion is going to get him completely out of the way. If something is truly "unavoidable", is it really possible to avoid it? Turning away in a defensive move to lessen the impact, or protect oneself from more serious injury, should satisfy the requirement of "attempting to avoid" something that is by it's nature "unavoidable".

I've worked with partners that want to see come sort of full-fledged jump out of the way by the batter. This ain't dodgeball! Give the batter every benefit of the doubt.