Stepping on Plate - FED v OBR

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

I could never grasp why the "touching home plate" part is there.

I agree that it is rather dumb. I see no advantage gained by the batter, which is why other rules regarding being out of the batter's box exist.

But now I have a related question, probably because I'm brain cramping and can't recall how to treat it. A similar question was asked on the softball board.

What happens when a batter has a foot completely out of the box (or touching the plate in FED/NCAA), and he gets hit with the pitch? Let's say he squares to bunt, moving his back foot out of the box, the pitch is way inside and he can't avoid it. Is it still a first-base award? Or is it a dead-ball Ball award?