Umpire CB Bucknor leaves game after taking a foul ball off his facemask
nytimes.com • • sports
Key Points:
- CB Bucknor left the Milwaukee Brewers-Tampa Bay Rays game after being hit in the face mask by a foul ball, worsening an already difficult week for the umpire.
- Bucknor has recently come under scrutiny due to MLB's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system, which has overturned several of his calls, highlighting his struggles with the adjustment.
- Earlier incidents included multiple overturned ball/strike calls in a Cincinnati game and a mistaken out call at first base in Milwaukee, both drawing criticism from players, managers, and broadcasters.
- Former umpires have criticized the ABS system for its rigid strike zone and the pressure it puts on umpires, noting that the strike zone has traditionally been a "living zone" that varies by game context.
- Bucknor's injury led to Chad Fairchild taking over home-plate duties, with the umpires continuing the game with a three-man crew amid subdued crowd reaction.
