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Q:  My player was at bat and was hit by a pitch.  He was not awarded first base and when I asked if he tried to get hit the home plate umpire said no.  He informed me that he did not attempt to get out of the way of the pitch and was not awarded first base.  Am I interpreting rule 8-1-1d incorrectly?  I feel this is a common situation in High School games and needs clarification.

A:  It is very common for a hit batsman not to get a base.  They must attempt to get out of the way.   Rule 7-3-4 (page 44) states:  

Section 3  Batting Infractions – A Batter Shall Not:  
ART. 4 . . . Permit a pitched ball to touch him.
PENALTY: The batter remains at bat (pitch is a ball or strike) unless pitch was a third strike or ball four.

In rule, 8-1-1d, it does state that “if he permits” which is the same as not making an attempt.

There are examples in the Case Book on page 63:

7.3.4 SITUATION C: B1 is at bat with a three-ball, no strike count. The batter rolls his elbow into the strike zone and a) the pitch hits B1 in the shoulder and would have been a ball; or b) the pitch hits the batter in the elbow and was in the strike zone. In both cases, the batter made no other movement. RULING: In a), B1 is awarded first base as it was ball four, and in b), B1 is charged with a strike, and remains at bat with a 3 ball, 1 strike count
7.3.4 SITUATION D: B1 is at bat with a two-ball, no strike count. The batter is fooled by the pitch and did not permit the ball to hit him. The pitch hits B1 in the shoulder. The batter made no other movement. RULING: B1 is awarded first base.

I believe this was a point of emphasis last year by the NFHS.  The batter must attempt to get out of the way.  If they don’t, it’s a ball or strike.