spot check

統一球変更問題をめぐって日本プロ野球界が揺れています。
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/A30/20130612/1371030253

記事にあるspot checkは、"an examination of a few things or people from a group, to check whether everything is correct or satisfactory"（LDOCE）とあるように「抜き取り検査」のこと（『プログレッシブ英和中辞典』小学館）。spotにはon the spotというイディオムからもわかるように「その場でいきなり行う」という意味があります。ちなみに報道ではこれを「抜き打ち検査」と言っていました。（Koyamamoto）

Editorial: Baseball officials must explain why ball changes were hidden
It has been learned that changes were secretly made to the balls used in Japanese professional baseball starting this season to make them fly further. It has also emerged that Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) asked the manufacturer not to announce the changes. In doing so, it has betrayed the trust of both players and fans -- hardly how an organization tasked with spreading and developing a national sport should act.
During a spot check last year, officials found balls with coefficients of restitution below the standard, which flew an even shorter distance, and NPB instructed Mizuno last summer to make a slight "adjustment." The non-standard balls, regarded as "defective products," were gradually used up during official games last year and in exhibition games this year. Starting from the season opener this year, the modified ball was put into play.
http://mainichi.jp/english/english/perspectives/news/20130613p2a00m0na007000c.html