Batter interference with the umpire

[BuggBob]

Here's a new one for you all. I was the plate umpire, runner on first, on a pass ball. The runner is heading to second, I start down the line to cover a possible play at third. SMACK! the batter has stepped out of the batter's box and takes a few practice swing and creams me in the right hand. The Runner did continue to third and I was not in position to make any kind of call. So she was safe. In truth I have no idea if there was a play or not as I was hopping around in pain. (BTW blood does not come out of our shirts very well) Is there any penalty or position I could enforce or use to avoid this in the future? Needless to say for the rest of the tournament I was real jittery around batters taking these practice swings during live ball play.