This could go into the Game 2 thread but it's more of a question in general. Isn't the batter suppose to make some attempt to move away from the ball if it's coming towards him? If he sits there and let it hits him or he moves into it he isn't awarded first base correct?
Yea, I remember it happened earlier in the year to Biggio. He had to continue batting, and eventually made an out. He argued with the ump and was ejected.
They're "supposed" to move but its such an arbitrary call that virtually no umpire does it. The one umpire who did it to biggio was none other than the infamous doug eddings who also called AJ Pierzynski out and then safe so we can just assume that he's not your average umpire. In short, it's a rule in text only and isn't really enforced.
If you remember in game one, Bagwell's 2nd HBP, he barely moved at all. He just let the ball hit him on the thigh. On to first he went.
Its not always easy to get out of the way of a 95 MPH fastball. Besides considering how much its gotta hurt to get beaned with an MLB heater they should just award anyone whose tough enough to stand there and take it with the inherent risks of injury.
