hit batter

Question
If a batter get hit in the helmet and during the pitch tries to get out of the way of the ball and is out of the box trying to avoid the pitch are they awarded first or do they get a ball to the count?

Answer
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your question.  If a pitched ball hits a batter's person, clothing, or certainly their helmet, as in your question, and they are trying to get out of the way of the pitch, and are out of the batter's box, the ball is immediately dead, they are awarded 1B, and all other runners are awarded one base, if forced.  Furthermore, EVEN IF THE BATTER IS IN THE BOX, all of the above applies, as long as the pitch didn't strike the batter as it passed through the strike zone.  That would be merely a dead ball strike.  However, if the batter makes no attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch not passing through the strike zone, then the ball is immediately dead, a ball is added to the batter's count, and all other runners must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
Scott Kelly