I know a HBP is not counted as a walk, but in the case of a pitcher hitting a batter after already going to three balls in the count, it seems to me that the pitcher is just as deserving to have a walk counted against him as if he had thrown a fouth ball and not hit the batter. Does anyone know if there is a good reason why a HBP is not considered a walk in this case, or is it just because the rules define it accordingly.
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