Hit by Pitch (Fast-Pitch)
Also known as: hit by pitch, hit by a pitch, HBP softball, getting hit by the pitch in fastpitch, pitch hits the batter, hit by pitch rule, hit by a pitch rule, hit by pitch in fastpitch, hit by a pitch in fastpitch, hit by a pitch in fast pitch, pitch hits my hands
In fast-pitch, a batter hit by a pitch she did not swing at is usually awarded first base. She has to try to avoid the ball, and her hands count as part of her body, not the bat. If she is struck while the ball is in the strike zone, or she swings and it hits her, the umpire calls a strike instead.
USA Softball's rule is Rule 8, Section 1F. If a delivery touches any part of the batter's body or clothing without a swing or a called strike, the ball is dead. She is awarded first base. Runners move up only if they are forced. Her hands are not part of the bat, so a ball off the hands while she holds the bat counts as hitting her.
There are three main exceptions. A batter who makes no attempt to get out of the way is not awarded first base unless it is ball four. If the ball is inside the zone when it touches her, it is a strike, and the ball is dead. A swing and miss that then hits her is also a strike, and on strike three she is out.
In Junior Olympic play, a batter hit by an illegal pitch she did not swing at is awarded first base. Learning to turn away from balls thrown inside protects the hitter and shows the umpire she tried to avoid the ball. Other rulebooks word this their own way, so check the version your league uses.
Tips by skill level
Practice turning away with soft balls. Tuck your chin and turn your front shoulder in toward the catcher.
Crowding the plate can take away the inside pitch. You still have to try to get out of the way of anything that comes at you. Know where the zone sits when you set up close.
Example
A right-handed hitter sees a delivery run in at her hands. She turns her front shoulder in, and it catches her upper arm. The umpire awards her first base, and the runner on first, who is forced, moves to second.
Why it matters
Free bases decide close games. Knowing the rule also helps young hitters learn to turn away safely instead of freezing.
Common mistakes
- Leaning into the ball or standing still, which can cost the base
- Assuming a ball off the hands is a foul because the hands were on the bat
- Not knowing that being hit inside the strike zone is a strike
- Turning toward the circle instead of turning the front shoulder in
Frequently asked questions
Do you get first base if the pitch hits you?
Usually, yes. In fast-pitch, a batter struck by a delivery she did not swing at goes to first. That holds as long as she tried to avoid it and it was outside the zone. Runners move up only if forced.
Is it a hit by pitch if the ball hits your hands?
Yes. Under USA Softball rules, the hands are not part of the bat. A ball that hits your hands while you are not swinging counts as hitting you.
What if the pitch hits you in the strike zone?
The umpire calls a strike, and the ball is dead. You do not get first base.
Do you have to try to get out of the way of the pitch?
Yes. Under USA Softball rules, a batter who makes no attempt to avoid it is not awarded first base unless it is ball four.
Sources
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 8 Sec. 1F (fast pitch: hit by a pitch not swung at; hands not part of the bat; no attempt to avoid), p. 90
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 7 Sec. 4H and 4K (pitch that hits the batter on a swing, or in the strike zone, is a strike), p. 84
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 8 Sec. 6E (runners return when the batter is hit by a pitch, unless forced), p. 99
- USA Softball, Official Rules of Softball 2026, Rule 6A Sec. 11B (Junior Olympic: batter hit by an illegal pitch not swung at), p. 66
Related terms
- Fear of the Ball (Hitting)Fear of the ball is normal, especially after a hitter has been hit by a pitch. Rebuild trust in steps with softer balls and slower speeds. Teach the hitter to turn away from an inside pitch by tucking the chin and turning the front shoulder in toward the catcher. Add speed only as the hitter stays in comfortably.
- Strike Zone – Fast-PitchIn fast pitch, the strike zone is the space over any part of home plate between the batter's armpits and the top of her knees. It is judged from a natural batting stance. A legal pitch that enters that space is a strike, even if the batter does not swing.
- Illegal Pitch (Fast-Pitch)An illegal pitch is a delivery that breaks the pitching rules, such as replanting the pivot foot (a crow hop), landing the stride outside the 24-inch length of the pitcher's plate, or making two arm circles. In USA Softball youth (Junior Olympic) play, the penalty is a ball on the batter. The batter may still swing: if she reaches first and every runner moves up at least one base, the play stands. If not, the offensive coach chooses the result of the play or the ball.
- Inside Pitch ApproachThe inside pitch approach is the technique for hitting a ball on the inner third of the plate — pulling the hands in, getting the barrel through early, and driving the ball to the pull side.
- Batting Stance (Fast-Pitch)There is no single correct fast-pitch batting stance, but good ones share a few traits. The feet are about shoulder-width apart, the knees are slightly bent and the weight sits on the balls of the feet. The hands rest near the back shoulder, and the barrel can reach the outer edge of the plate.
- Teaching a Young Fast-Pitch Hitter (Parent Guide)Teach a young fast-pitch hitter the basics in order. Start with a balanced stance and eyes on the ball, then a short stride and a level, on-time swing. Use a light bat she can control, lots of tee and soft-toss swings with soft balls, and short sessions that praise solid contact.
Related guides & benchmarks
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