Check swing, HBP *On Hand/Wrist* "above home plate" (NFHS 8.1.1d)

[UAME]

Had this situation twice in the past week:

B1 begins to swing at a high fastball that tails towards him, but never enters the box (stays over home plate, or at least between the chalk.)

B1 successfully "checked" his swing - he did not go.  But, in both cases, because his hands were now out over the plate, the pitch hit B1 on the hand/wrist.  In neither case did the ball ever contact the bat.

I ruled the first a dead ball Strike (on the exact same day as the Angel Hernandez incident below) and the second time a dead ball Ball.  In both cases, I didn't award 1st base on HBP, player remained at bat.  After reviewing 8-1-1d & the video, I think I got the first case (ruled a Strike) incorrect - B1 didn't fully swing and the pitch was up at chest level (above where I would typically call a strike.)

What say you?  Am I correct in not awarding 1B on HBP?  If so, it should only be a "Strike" based on 1) an attempted swing or 2) pitch crosses plate/contacts batter's body in the strike zone?

 

**Additional thought:  In my first case, I think Angel & I were thinking alike:  just like on a checked swing "foul ball" where the batter successfully stops his swing, but the pitch still hits the bat, the result is a Foul/Strike.  As I said, after reading 8-1-1d, I think the only determination of Strike/Ball is WHERE the pitch is when contacted.

 

[Velho]

Checklist for HBP (others will let me know at I've missed):

1) Did it hit the bat first and then batter? Foul

2) Was pitch a strike (or would have been if hits player in front of plate)? Yes = Dead ball strike

3) Did batter offer at the pitch? Yes = Dead ball strike

4) Did batter fulfill obligation to avoid, etc. (depends on rule set)? No = "Time. You stay here. That's a Ball". Yes = HBP

[834k3r]

22 hours ago, Velho said:

Did batter fulfill obligation to avoid, etc.

And therein lies the rub. I tend to be pretty lenient; in most (never say all) cases, if the batter stands still I'll give him the HBP. If there's any movement I see as toward contacting the ball, the benefit of doubt in my mind is removed.