Asa hbp

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Crabby_Bob

Just so you're not the only one, I whole-heartedly agree. Now you see many players stand in the box, taking one for the team, to the point it becomes a convenient way to put the batter on 1st base.

Why is it necessary for the offense (batter) to compensate for a defensive mistake (pitch in the batter's box) by having to make an attempt to avoid the errant pitch in order to be rewarded with first base?