Three days after having six of his calls overturned by MLB’s new Automated Balls and Strikes system, umpire C.B. Bucknor was in the spotlight once again Tuesday night.
Serving as the first-base umpire in Milwaukee for the Brewers’ March 31 game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Bucknor had one of the most blatant blown calls you’ll ever see overturned by replay, leading to similar amused reactions in both dugouts.
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The play occurred in the sixth inning with Milwaukee leading 4-2 and first baseman Jake Bauers at the plate. Bauers’ line drive went off the glove of Rays second baseman Ben Williamson, who then threw wildly to first base.
The Rays retrieved the ball and tagged Bauers, whom Bucknor called out for failing to touch first base.
As the television announcers pointed out, Bucknor didn’t even seem to be looking at Bauers’ foot as he clearly stepped on the first base bag.
It didn’t take long for replay to overturn the call.
Bauers ended up stealing second base and coming around to score on Brandon Lockridge’s RBI double as the Brewers went on to a 6-2 win.
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system on a challenge in the second inning of the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 12, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during a challenge by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of the MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians at Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
ABS system calibration unit before the MLB game at Surprise Stadium on March 02, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona.
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The video board displays the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system during a challenge by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of the MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians at Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
A general view of the scoreboard during an ABS challenge in the sixth inning of the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on February 27, 2025 in Goodyear, Arizona.
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The scoreboard at Truist Park is seen during an Automated Ball-Strike system challenge during the eighth inning of the MLB All-Star Game on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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What the new MLB ABS system looked like in action
The scoreboard at Truist Park is seen during an Automated Ball-Strike system challenge during the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“I don’t know what happened,” Bauers told reporters after the game, avoiding repeated opportunities to comment any further. “I’m just thankful to get on base and thankful to come around and score.”
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: C.B. Bucknor has blatant missed call reversed in Brewers-Rays game
