checked swing

American  

[chekt swing] / ˈtʃɛkt ˌswɪŋ /

Also check swing

noun

Baseball.

1. a swing of the bat in which the batter holds back just after starting to swing, thereby avoiding swinging into a strike.

   It looked like a checked swing to me, but the umpire called him out, saying he swung for the third strike.

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Etymology

Origin of checked swing

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; originally as half-checked swing

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

checked swing

Ohtani’s 14th homer of the season came off reliever Jorge López, who was ejected moments later for shouting at third base umpire Ramon De Jesus over an appeal ruling on Freddie Freeman’s checked swing.

From Seattle Times ● May 29, 2024

The Orioles loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth before Dany Jimenez struck out pinch-hitter Ryan McKenna on a checked swing, dropping McKenna to 0 for 5 this year.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 18, 2022

But Adam Duvall popped out to first, and Travis d’Arnaud was unable to stop his bat on a 2-2 pitch, striking out on a checked swing.

From New York Times ● Oct. 29, 2021

Maybe first-base umpire Gabe Morales’ wrong call on Wilmer Flores’ checked swing for the game’s final out prevented the Giants from mustering another dose of sorcery in a magical season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2021

Purists on Thursday night were quick to remind that the checked swing is determined not by where the bat ends but a more subjective “attempt to strike at the ball.”

From Washington Post ● Oct. 15, 2021