Question of protocol.

[AtlUmpSteve]

The NCAA rule book and Umpire Manual mandate the plate umpire go for help on any checked swing request, regardless the position of the base umpire. The ASA NUS has always recommended you go for help unless you feel the coach or team is being continuously riduculous in the request.

That said, I can see no valid reason in 99.9% of the cases to refuse to ask on a checked swing, regardless the position of the base umpire. If you are tracking the ball as currently taught, there is every good liklihood you did not see the full movement of the bat, or able to absolutely judge if a batter has attempted to hit the ball. I can see no valid reason for a base umpire, regardless of his position on the field, to not answer with a truthful response, based on the action of the batter, not based on some predetermination that he can't see a swing.

If the base umpire cannot honestly tell, it isn't a swing. Otherwise, do your job, honor the game, try to make the right call.