Historical footage has surfaced showing how ridiculous checked swing calls used to be in baseball, highlighting the evolution of the rule and umpire judgment.
The footage, shared widely on social media, contrasts modern standards with past interpretations where batters were often ruled to have swung despite minimal bat movement.
A photo from Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship Series at American Family Field in Milwaukee captures Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts discussing a challenge with umpire James Hoye during the fourth inning on October 13, 2025, illustrating the ongoing scrutiny of such calls.
The article by Mark Deeks, published November 1, 2026, examines the history of the checked swing rule and its impact on the game.
