Old MLB films can reveal a lot about how things have changed.
Johnny Podres of the Dodgers pitches to Jim Landis of the White Sox in the 1959 World Series.
Landis starts to swing. The ball is the blur just in front of the dirt.
Landis misses the pitch. It appears that the end of the bat barely reached the ball.
Landis continues around with the bat.
After missing, Landis starts to bring his body around.
Landis continues around with the body while he brings his bat back a bit.
The call: Ball 4. The interesting thing is the defense did not ask for an appeal.