Dropped third strike hitting a batter-runner.

[nine01c]

This thread keeps changing direction.
Anyway, in the last two examples the ball is indeed DEAD.
But in the first situation, batter is OUT. In the second situation, he is awarded first base. They are distinctly different.

The original post asked about a STRIKE THREE (swinging) and the batter is HBP. Is there a difference if the pitched ball was in flight, or if it bounced first? In either case ball is DEAD, batter is OUT. OBR

At least I think that is what this thread is/was about.