hit by pitch (high school fast pitch)

Question
We have a daughter who pitches and catches Varsity Fastpitch. I understand that NCAA allows a batter to freeze in the batter's box and get hit by a pitch, and be awarded first base. Our daughter plays catcher and pitcher. Sometimes a batter gets hit and doesn't get awarded a base - does the batter have to move? and does it have to be away from the plate? I ask not to question the umpire's ruling but to help my daughter understand what to do.
She will be playing club ball at college next year.

Answer
Hi Sally,

Thank you for your question.  Yes, the NCAA does allow a batter to freeze in the batter's box, get hit by a pitch, and be awarded 1B.  I don't umpire college ball, so I don't know how the plate umpire differentiates between freezing and awarding the batter 1B/not making any attempt to get out of the way of the pitch and adding a ball to the count.  

Going back to NFHS, here is the entire rule in question, rule 8-1-2-b: A batter is awarded first base when a pitched ball not swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter's person or clothing.  It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter.  The batter's hands are not considered a part of the bat.  PENALTY 1: The ball is dead.  The batter is entitled to one base without liability to be put out.  If no attempt is made to avoid being hit or there is an obvious attempt to get hit by the pitch, the batter will not be awarded first base unless it is ball four.

So now let's answer your two questions.
1.  "Does the batter have to move?"
Now you know, yes, that the batter does have to move.  There is no physical way to remain motionless while attempting to avoid being hit.

2.  "Does it (batter movement) have to be away from the plate?"
Now you know, no, that it doesn't have to be away from the plate, because the rule doesn't require that.  In fact, the natural reaction of a batter who is about to be hit by a pitch thrown behind her would be to move toward the plate.

Scott Kelly