Pitch hits dirt then hits batter

Question
Pitcher throws pitch and ball hits dirt, then hits batter. Is this a dead ball or does batter take first base?  League is 12-15 year old girls.  Thank you.  Greg.

Answer
Hello Greg

A pitched ball hitting the dirt is still a live ball. Once the ball hits the batter however it抯 dead and the batter is awarded first base. If the umpire judges the batter made no attempt to avoid being hit, the batter will not be awarded first base unless it was ball four.