MiLB is testing the automated check swing system

Why???? Let the umps do their job. They are not perfect and get blamed for missed calls far too often. Most people rag on them even though there are many examples during any game that the team cost themselves.

45 degrees seems very generous to the batter.

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Each team will have 1 check swing challenge and will retain successful challenges

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So the umpires will still call checked swings and if the team disagrees then they can challenge?

A check swing is pretty easy to see by the 1st/3rd base umpire. Maybe it will be beneficial for those minor leagues that only use 2 umpires, but other than that it seems pointless.

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45 degrees seems very generous to the batter.

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I always thought it was if the bat crosses the front of the plate but apparently there is no defined definition. But umps have generally followed the front of the plate definition so 45 degrees gives a huge advantage to the hitter.

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I don’t know what it is about baseball that people have this bizarre tolerance for not getting calls right, but it’s wild

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Umpiring is an element of the sport that’s always been there. You want to subtract that element, and you’re begging the question of whether that subtraction is a good or bad thing.
When I say begging the question I mean you are acting as if it’s clear as day and unarguable that removing the umpiring element will make baseball better overall, when that is not the case.

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I always thought it was if the bar crosses the front of the plate but apparently there is no defined definition.

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There is in college:

2-39 HALF SWING

An attempt by the batter to stop the forward motion of the bat while swinging,
which puts the batter in jeopardy of a strike being called. The half swing shall be called a strike if the barrel head of the bat passes the batter’s front hip. This does not apply to a bunt attempt when the batter pulls the bat back.

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When I say begging the question I mean you are acting as if it’s clear as day and unarguable that removing the umpiring element will make baseball better overall, when that is not the case.

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It’s not removing umpiring, it’s changing to a form that hurdles considerably closer to 100% accuracy

Baseball is disproportionately suited to automation and review in general as most of the decision making is objective (not subjective like calling holding penalties). Ball or strike. Safe or out. Cleared fence or not.

It is quite clear as day. This defense of the indefensible is archaic and no one would tolerate this kind of thinking in any other sport

Are the challenges coming from both teams on a potential check swing? Can an ump called swing be challenged just like a no called swing?

This would be setting up a definition of the rule if so, and one that seems to favor the batter more than is seemingly called right now. I would think umps call swings starting much earlier than at 45 degrees, or at least they should as going out to 44 degrees seems very generous.