NFHS – Batter hit by pitch swinging – 3rd strike out?

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by Angler

8.1.2. b.
Penalty 2. If the batter is hit anywhere on the body, including on the hands, while swinging at a pitch, and hits the ball fair or foul, the ball is dead and a strike called. If it is strike three, the batter is out.

This is just clarifying the fact it really doesn't matter if they hit the ball, the ball is still dead and a strike is called on the batter. (In other words, it is helping to further dispel the "hands are part of the bat" myth.)

If you read all of 8.1.2 in its entirety, this becomes a little more clear. So to answer your question, no, the batter does not have to hit the ball to receive a dead ball strike when she is HBTP, but even if she does it is STILL a dead ball strike.