What ruling applies when a batter permits a ball to touch him on a pitched strike?

When a batter allows a pitched ball that is within the strike zone to touch him, the correct ruling is that the batter is not awarded first base. This is because a ball that is classified as a strike cannot result in the batter being awarded first base upon contact with the body. The intent behind this ruling is to maintain fairness in the game, ensuring that batters do not gain an advantage by allowing themselves to be hit by a pitch that is otherwise a legal strike.

In this case, the pitch would be called a strike, and the play continues unless further action is taken or the circumstance changes. This ruling underscores the importance of the ball's trajectory and classification as a strike, reaffirming the game's standards regarding how batters should respond to pitches in the strike zone.