[greymule]

or on a hit batter (F.P.) the ball is dead, the batter-runner is not out and runners cannot advance unless forced.

I took this to mean that, for example, runners stealing on the pitch had to return unless the batter's award of 1B forced them to the next base.

But I don't understand why they would say "unless forced since no one can be forced if the batter-runner is out.

Because the rule states clearly that the batter-runner is not out.

And what was your partner's justification for ringing up the girl who was hit by a pitch and then replaced before she got to 1B? The ball is dead, and the runner can enter DBT without being out. Where does it say she must touch 1B before being replaced?

On a walk, where the ball remains live, the BR must go to 1B before being replaced, but I think a hit batsman is a different story. Can't find a case book ruling, however.