Usually if the batter is not in the box, I have my hand up and as such the ball is dead so there is no penalty.
If I do't have my hand up, then the ball is live and all rules apply.
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Charles Johnson Jr
NFHS Class #1 softball/baseball
ASA/USSSA
Dayton, Ohio
I have been umpiring so long that it was called Rounders when I started.