Get out of the way - Insider: baseball

For a moment, Torii Hunter had the audacity of Dennis Rodman and the accuracy of Brett Favre. Pushing peacemakers aside at home plate, the Twins center fielder threw a retaliatory fastball that nailed Indians pitcher Danys Baez, who had plunked Hunter moments earlier. The July 17 incident is one of the most vivid images of the season and the most visible example of a recent baseball trend: Batters are being hit by pitches more frequently than ever.

Already this season, teams have been hit about 38 times on average--more than for all of 1992. According to Elias Sports Bureau, batters were hit about three times more often in 2001 than in 1941. Ted Williams was plunked 39 times in his 19 seasons. Craig Biggio nearly surpassed that number in 1997 alone and has taken more than 200 shots in 14 years.

Whether pitchers have lost control, batters have become plate hogs or both sides have lost a little respect is up for debate. And though brawls are the most noticeable result, there are other consequences. Players are sent to the D.L. and games are decided--the Royals recently beat the Indians, 13-12, on a walk-off hit-by-pitch.

Padres righthander Adam Eaton blames hitters. "In the past, players didn't have as much armor," Eaton says, "and they had to get out of the way. These days, there is no reason to move out of the way."

"To be a good hitter, you have to stand close," says Cardinals second baseman Fernando Vina, who is tied for second in the N.L. with 10 HBPs. "You might get hit by more inside pitches doing that."

Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan estimates that one in 50 hit batsmen is nailed on purpose. He says baseball has legislated successfully against hitting batters. So why are more batters being hit?

"I watch a lot of video from all over the league," Duncan says. "My first thought is, I'm amazed at the lack of control pitchers have. Guys are all over the place. They'll miss the target by two or three feet."

Which brings us back to the Hunter incident. Baez said he lost control of the pitch. Hunter said the same thing about his reaction. "I just lost it," he told reporters. "I'm sorry it happened."

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