ODB Gets Hit by Thrown Ball

[Manny A]

Having a discussion in another venue about an on-deck batter getting hit with an errant throw. Basically, the ODB is where she's supposed to be in her circle, a throw from the outfield is wild, the ball hits off the fence and ricochets toward the ODB, who can't react quickly enough to get out of the way as the ball contacts her.

One of the umpires in that venue insists that anytime the ball and the ODB make contact, it becomes a dead ball. I believe in this case where the ODB did nothing wrong and she just couldn't get out of the way, the ball should remain live. It's really no different than when an errant throw hits a base coach. But I cannot find any rule or case play that points to the thought that an ODB is a player authorized to be on the field of play, and should she get hit with a thrown ball, it's incidental contact unless she does something that puts her in the path of that throw.

What say you? Please provide authoritative language (rule, case play, interpretation, etc.) that supports your argument.