Good answer, Steve.
Another point; the batter's box includes the lines. Many players try to gain an advantage by taking up every inch of the box (the lines are part of the box). In planting their rear foot, many times the lines get erased or covered with dirt.
I know the originator said the batter was obviously outside the box, but if there were no lines, I'm not clear on why he felt that way. Evidently the PU felt the batters were indeed within the 6' box, or at least "close enough" considering there were no lines.
On fields where I work, if no lines are marked, you really have to go by eyesight and "feel" or estimate it with a 36" bat. I've never had a big problem, at any age group or at any time in my 20-year career with having batters be in the box . . . lined or otherwise.
It seems as if the defense raised an issue, PU would have done something about it. Yes?
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