Excuse Me Swing

Written byNick Gilden Hours Last Updated on Categories Baseball

What Does Excuse Me Swing Mean in Baseball?

An excuse me swing in baseball occurs when a batter inadvertently completes a swing after initially attempting to hold back. This action typically happens when the batter is fooled by the pitch, either due to its speed, movement, or location, and tries to stop the swing mid-motion. The term captures the hesitation and unintended nature of the swing, implying the batter is almost apologetic for the weak attempt.

Determining the outcome of an excuse me swing depends on the umpire’s judgment. If the umpire deems that the batter has made a sufficient attempt at hitting the ball, it can be ruled a strike. However, if the movement is deemed insufficient for a full swing, the pitch may be called a ball, provided it is outside of the strike zone. The distinction between a checked swing and an excuse me swing lies in the intent and the completion of the swing. While both involve a degree of restraint, an excuse me swing is less deliberate and often leaves the batter hoping for a favorable call from the umpire.

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Defining ‘Excuse Me Swing’ in Baseball

An “Excuse Me Swing” in baseball refers to a situation where the batter unintentionally makes contact with the ball while deciding to withhold from a full batting swing. This typically occurs when the batter starts to swing but then hesitates, often because they judge the pitch to be out of the strike zone.

Characteristics of an ‘Excuse Me Swing’:

  • The batter begins a swing at the pitch.
  • Mid-swing, the batter attempts to stop their bat movement.
  • Contact with the ball is made inadvertently.

During an ‘Excuse Me Swing,’ the bat may lightly tap or foul the ball, and it often results in weak ground balls or foul balls. The outcome can vary, but it is seldom advantageous to the batter because they have not committed to a full swinging motion, thus unable to drive the ball effectively.

Umpire’s Decision:

  • If during the ‘Excuse Me Swing’ the umpire believes the batter’s motion reflected a full swing, it is ruled a strike.
  • If the umpire deems the motion insufficient for a full swing, no strike is recorded unless the ball is in the strike zone or struck by the bat.

This swing is often contrasted with a “checked swing,” where the batter clearly checks their swing in time and makes no contact with the ball.SEP Regardless of the intent, an ‘Excuse Me Swing’ may still count as a regular swing in the eyes of the officials, depending on how much the batter’s swing progressed before attempting to stop.

Mechanics and Execution of an ‘Excuse Me Swing’

An ‘Excuse Me Swing’ in baseball is characterized by a batter’s partial swing that is either unintentional or used as a strategic move. It occurs when the batter starts to swing but does not complete it.

Involuntary Reaction

In an ‘Excuse Me Swing’, a batter initiates a hitting motion, but hesitates, often because they judged the pitch to be out of the strike zone. The mechanics involve the batter’s hands starting to propel the bat forward before the body halts the motion. This typically results from an instinctive response to an unexpected pitch speed or movement. The lower body may partially commit before the batter’s cognitive decision to stop the swing is executed, leading to a distinctive incomplete swing.

Strategic Usage

At times, batters may use an ‘Excuse Me Swing’ deliberately, particularly when they aim to make marginal contact or to protect the strike zone in two-strike situations. The strategic execution requires a batter to show signs of committing to a swing and then pulling back just enough to tap the ball foul or feign a full swing to confuse the defense. This type of ‘Excuse Me Swing’ involves greater muscle control and split-second decision-making to prevent a strikeout while also keeping the at-bat alive.

I'm Nick, a professional researcher & writer by day and a die-hard baseball fan by night. I have a deep love and knowledge of the game and love sharing it with others. I've been involved in baseball in one way or another for as long as I can remember - playing the game on an amateur level since I was a kid, writing about the game for my college newspaper, and now working with some of the biggest names in baseball media.