A dead ball is when the play stops for one reason or another. A live ball becomes dead when: The ball touches an antenna or touches the net outside the part of the net directly above the sidelines....
Once the ball is considered dead the play is over; it does not become live again until the start of the next phase of play:
In American football, this is at the next snap.
In cricket, this is at...
The ball is only dead until the batter reaches first base and the pitcher has the ball. After that the batter can steal and the pitcher is free to do what he wants.
If you swing and miss and the ball hits you, it is a strike and a live ball. If you swing and the bat makes contact with the ball and the ball hits you while you're in the batter's box, it is a foul...
I believe the correct ruling is that the batter would be awarded 2B. On ball 4, he is entitled to 1B without liability of being put, though the ball is still live. Once the pitched ball enters the...