ASA- Girls +12 softball

Question
In my daughters softball league last year (rec league 12-14 years) there was an umpire who would (3 or 4 times that I saw) call a strike on a player when they were hit by a pitch. I can guarantee that every time these young ladies were hit they were not trying to get on base and all were at least tearing when they had to go back to the box. I tried to explain my position on what I believe is the intention of the rule (to discourage girls that are trying to get on base), to no avail. All of these girls were hit because they had no opportunity to get out of the way (most of the pitchers in the league throw very hard) or a combination of that and they froze. Please explain the ASA rule as you see it (It's frustrating with most of these still being afraid of getting hit anyway, and then they have to go back into the box tearing and more afraid than ever.)

Answer
David,

Barring an extremly fast pitch, the batter MUST make an effort to get out of the way. There are no exceptions. Also, if any part of a girl's body is in the strike zone, and the ball hits that part of their body, it is a strike.

I hope this helps.

Jesse