Batters Box

Question
Last weekend I had a game where a batter from the other team had one of her feet about 1-2 inches from the plate when she took her stance before the pitch.  The lines were no longer visible.  I asked the plate umpire to get her to move back a little because she was out of the batter's box.  But his response was "there isn't even a batter's box." presumably because the lines were no longer visible.  (I am sure there still is a batter's box.) I am thinking we all know the batter's box is 6 inches from the plate.  Shouldn't an umpire at least get her closer to 4 or 5 inches, which I would have accepted.  But 1-2 inches from the plate seems like he should tell her to move back or maybe there is some other penalty for not starting in the batter's box.  
How would you handle a situation like this?

Thanks in Advance,
Coach Doug

Answer
Hi Coach,

Of course there is a BB even if the lines are erased just as there is a foul line if the lines are erased.  The umpire should have known that, very basic.

Since at the start of the pitch the batter's feet must be within the BB, a foot may touch the line but no part of the foot may be outside the line, it's pretty evident from your OP the batter's foot must have been touching outside the line.  Not much you can do if they don't want to listen but I would make a point to talk to the UIC especially since "there isn't even a batter's box." is an indication this umpire needs some more training.

If you were really serious I guess you could have also brought out the "P" word after your discussion with the PU as the BB is still there and needs to be enforced.

Mark