But speaking of automatic deductions, here’s a great idea: let’s fine pitchers automatically for whenever they hit a batter, no matter the reason, accidental or not. Then, let’s add surcharges for intentionality (if implied) and a graduated scale of penalties for injuring a player. That will have the effect of forcing pitchers to stay over the plate, drive up the offensive numbers that baseball fans who like lots of offense (ie, boring fans) love, and make that Neanderthal atrocity, the designated hitter, irrelevant. That way, the designatedhitterball league can go back to playing real baseball.