The hit-by-pitch rate has gone up by about 42% in the last five years in MLB. There are a few reasons for this, namely lack of command on the mound from pitchers. But as SI senior writer Tom Verducci points out, the armor batters wear allow them to crowd the plate and "take one for the team". Verducci shares his thoughts on the hit-by-pitch rate and offers a solution that would mitigate a batter's willingness to be hit.