What happens when a batter is hit by a pitch and then steps off the base?

When a batter is hit by a pitch, they are awarded first base automatically. This rule exists to protect batters from being hit and provides them a chance to get on base without penalty. The situation becomes interesting if the batter then steps off the base or makes a move that appears to indicate they are no longer considering advancing.

In scenarios where the batter has been hit by a pitch and subsequently steps off the base, they can be put out if the defense utilizes a hidden ball trick effectively. In this tactic, if the defensive team has the ball and tags the runner while they are off base, the batter-runner can indeed be declared out. This reflects the rules regarding player positioning and the status of runners after being awarded base privileges following a hit by pitch.

The correct answer demonstrates an understanding of the dynamics of base running after such a pitch, along with the implications of different actions the batting player might take afterward.