Batter hit with an illegal pitch

[Andy]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

Actually, the wording is "runner" as opposed to "batter runner".
I had this happen to me in a game an NFHS few weeks ago.
I believe in the heat of the moment, I blew the ruling when I didn't allow the offensive coach the choice of play or penalty.

...and this is the crux of the issue....

6-1-f3 exception states that if the batter hits the ball fair or foul or becomes a runner, that an option is given.

The term "runner" is not defined in the NFHS book.

If you go to rule 8, Batter-Runner and Runner, 8-1-2b says that the batter is awarded first base when hit by a pitched ball (absent the exceptions) and that the ball is dead. What this seems to say to me is that the batter never becomes a batter-runner, but becomes a runner when she reaches first base and the ball is back in play.

I was initially leaning toward giving the option, but now think that I would just award first base and be done with it.