n concluding the “Working the Middle” series, I want to discuss a topic that has caused a great stir, both early in my career and as of late. I’ve put it in this series because even though check swings can happen with the base umpires on the rail, most problems occur when that appeal is made to an umpire inside the diamond.

The check swing appeal was put on the books in the 1970’s, just about the time when multiple replays of each pitch (and check swing) were starting to be shown on local television. By giving the plate umpire the liberty to check with a partner when screened out, baseball gave the plate umpire a chance to get the call right when unsure of whether the batter offered at the pitch.

But organized baseball did not stop with giving the plate umpire the liberty of granting an appeal; it required the plate umpire to do so.

9.02(c) case note: Appeals on a half swing may be made only on the call of ball and when asked to appeal, the home plate umpire must refer to a base umpire for his judgment on the half-swing. Should the base umpire call the pitch a strike, the strike call shall prevail.

Continued...