Hit-by-pitch

[GarthB]

Friex:

Things may have changed since I played, but it was exactly those looping curves that kept us in the box waiting to see where they would break. I'm giving HPB.

(In fact, the guidelines given us by our FED clinician on these types of calls stipulate more leniency on curves than fastballs or changeups. Batters don't have to wait to see where the fastball is going, but a good batter is coached to wait out the curve. Maybe this is an area where umpires who played upper levels will differ from those who did not.