Check Swing Mechanic

[Tru_in_Blu]

I think the question here doesn't merit any discussion about asking a partner for his/her opinion. If, as the HP umpire, you have decided that the batter did indeed swing or offer at a pitch that would have been a ball otherwise, you then declare that the batter swung at or offered at [bunt] the pitch.

If the pitch was in the strike zone, just call the strike. If anyone argues because they saw the batter check the swing, just say the pitch was a called strike regardless.

Now, if you've decided the batter has offered at a pitch that would have been a ball, the mechanic listed in the books is:

"The plate umpire should let everyone know that the batter swung at the ball by pointing at the batter with the left hand for right handed batters or the right hand for left handed batters, then give a strong verbal confirmation accompanied by a strike signal. Remove all doubt that the batter swung at the pitch."

RS10 also talks about the check swing, but doesn't get into the mechanics. One part I like about RS10 is in regards to the bunt attempt:

"On a bunt attempt where the batter puts the bat across the plate and the pitched ball is out of the strike zone, a ball should be called unless the batter moves the bat toward the ball."

A lot of coaches complain when the offensive player just leaves the bat out there without moving it. But if the batter doesn't move the bat toward the ball, it's not an offer.

I do a lot of single umpire games, both fast and 'sno-pitch, so I usually end up making a call on a check swing myself. Rarely will the catcher ask in a 2 umpire game, and then we'll go through the appeal step.

Ted