Dead Ball?

Question
I was watching a 9th grade softball game last night and a girl was batting, she swung way under the ball and it hit her in the right arm. The umpire called it a dead ball and awarded her 1st base?!?  I thought that it would be a dead ball (foul/strike) and she would still be batting?!?! Just curious what the call was??  Thanks for your help!

Answer
To be awarded first base on a hit by pitch, you must attempt to avoid the pitch.  Any type of flinch will be interpreted by most umpires as an attempt to avoid.  In this case, based on the information you provided, I believe the umpire made the wrong call.

When you swing at the ball and the ball hits you, the call should be a dead ball and a strike.  Your understanding of the rule is correct.