Checked swing, 1959 style
 

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.
http://123pichosting.com/images/9041Checked_1a.jpg

Landis starts to swing. The ball is the blur just in front of the dirt.
http://123pichosting.com/images/874Checked_2a.jpg

Landis misses the pitch. It appears that the end of the bat barely reached the ball.
http://123pichosting.com/images/4277Checked_3a.jpg

Landis continues around with the bat.
http://123pichosting.com/images/678Checked_4a.jpg

After missing, Landis starts to bring his body around.
http://123pichosting.com/images/9168Checked_5a.jpg

Landis continues around with the body while he brings his bat back a bit.
http://123pichosting.com/images/3593Checked_6a.jpg

The call: Ball 4. The interesting thing is the defense did not ask for an appeal.

i always enjoy watching old time games because the officiating (acually, the mechanics) is incredibly uncrisp and all over the place. I see umpires on steals that are close enough to make the tag themselves. The judgement/calls are not that bad, but by today's standards they would all receive an 'F' in mechanics. It makes you wonder if they had ANY set mechanics standards back then.

The best way to describe the way they make their calls back then is "non-robotic" or relaxed as compared to the precise movements and positions we use today.

Also, old-time football is just as bad.

Question
 

So let me ask this question, what do you look for as the tell tale sign that the batter did offer at the pitch while: a) working 1st base b) working 2nd base c) third base, d) the plate? Is it the barrel of the bat, the twist of the body?

I look to see whether he attempted to strike the ball or not from A, B, C, D, or behind the plate.


Tim.

I understand that part of the play, but do you make a decision by looking for the barrel of bat, the turn of the shoulders, body? I mean he could just take the bat and move it two inches toward the pitch. Would you call that an attempt?

You can look at all kinds of things that might help you make this call. The front knee, the wrists, the front edge of the plate, the barrel of the bat, etc... However, none of these things should be used as an absolute in determining a check swing. It boils down to whether or not you feel the batter intended to strike at the ball.


Tim.

Tim, Thanks for the feedback. That's what I was looking for if anyone looked for a tell tell sign!

George

I look to see if bat crossed into strike zone. Was taught this when I started 17 yr ago and still follow this . Also teach this now to new umps.