Hands not part of the bat

[mcrowder]

To simplify for the newbies...

If the ball hits the batter --- AT ALL --- it's a dead ball.

Then you do your thinking. If it's a strike (across the plate or swinging), it's a strike. If it hit the bat first, then hit the batter, it's a foul.

If it makes it easier for you, envision the ball hitting the batter's foot instead of hand when it does, in fact, hit the hand.