checked swing

[ chekt 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of checked swing¹

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

Example Sentences

Like the time Hernández rang up Kyle Schwarber looking on a pitch that landed several inches outside, then ejected Schwarber after the Phillies DH spiked his bat and helmet in a righteous eruption; or the time Hernández called three consecutive outside strikes on the Rangers’ Wyatt Langford, with the finale wandering 6.78 inches wide; or the time Hernández — while working third base — called Phillies superstar Bryce Harper out on a checked swing, then tossed him after Harper beelined down the baseline.

From Seattle Times

Moments later, the right-hander was ejected for shouting at third base umpire Ramon De Jesus over an appeal ruling on Freddie Freeman’s checked swing.

From Seattle Times

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

Trayce Thompson strained his oblique on a checked swing Saturday and will likely go on the injured list, according to Roberts.

From Los Angeles Times

In the ninth inning with the score tied at 2 on Wednesday, Mike Trout was called out on a full-count checked swing by first base ump Will Little, stranding two.

From Seattle Times