[Tru_in_Blu]

ASA Rule 8 1 The batter becomes a batter-runner

F. (Fast Pitch) When a pitched ball not swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter's person including the hands or clothing.
Effect: Dead ball, the batter is entitled to one first base [sic] without liability to be put out.
Exception: If no attempt is made to avoid being hit, the batter will not be awarded first base unless it is ball four.
Note: The batter's hands are not part of the bat.

And Rule 7, Section 5. A ball is called by the umpire.
A. (Fast Pitch) For each legally pitched ball that does not enter the strike zone, touches the ground before reaching home plate, or touches home plate, and the batter does not swing.
Effect: The ball is live and runners are entitled to advance with liability to be put out.

My question relates to a pitched ball that hits the ground first and then hits the batter. Which of the above rules takes precedence? Is there a particular reference to that in the rules? Whenever this happens the first complaint from the defensive coach is that the ball hit the ground. The next complaint is that the batter didn't make an attempt to get out of the way.

A ball hitting the ground can bounce in unknown directions. We have a home plate or two on various fields where a corner might be slightly elevated from ground level. If a batter is deep in the batter's box and a low pitch comes in and hits one of those elevated corners then caroms off and comes in contact with the batter who didn't swing, do they get the award? With a runner on base, would it result in a dead ball?

Envision a situation with runner(s) on base. Pitch is low and inside and the batter is jumping back. The pitch hits that corner of the plate and pops up into the air. Batter has lost sight of the ball, which comes down and hits her helmet. Hit by pitch? Live ball? Dead ball?

Thanx,

Ted