{"id":656225,"date":"2026-04-01T08:51:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T08:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/656225\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T08:51:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T08:51:19","slug":"embattled-umpire-cb-bucknor-prompts-laughter-after-latest-blown-call","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/656225\/","title":{"rendered":"Embattled umpire CB Bucknor prompts laughter after latest blown call"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just three days removed from having six calls overturned<\/a> via Major League Baseball\u2019s Automated Ball-Strike challenge system, umpire CB Bucknor\u2019s judgment was again called into question. This time, it involved a base hit and whether the runner actually touched first base.<\/p>\n

He did.<\/p>\n

In the bottom of the sixth inning of the Milwaukee Brewers\u2019 game against the Tampa Bay Rays, first baseman Jake Bauers reached on an infield single to second base. The throw from Rays second baseman Brandon Williamson never reached first baseman Jonathan Aranda, sailing wide right.<\/p>\n

CB Bucknor strikes again, this time saying the runner did not touch first base. He very clearly did pic.twitter.com\/zn6k9RtLXl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Bauers never made a move toward second base. Yet, he was still tagged by Aranda and called out because Bucknor mistakenly believed that Bauers never touched the first-base bag.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that is a horrendous call. Where is C.B. Bucknor looking?\u201d Brewers commentator Jeff Levering said on the broadcast.<\/p>\n

Milwaukee challenged the call, and it was subsequently overturned. Bauers later came around and scored in the 6-2 win.<\/p>\n

First base umpire CB Bucknor ruled Jake Bauers did not step on first base and was out. <\/p>\n

Here are two stills of him stepping on the middle of the base. The call was promptly overturned. pic.twitter.com\/WEv9O4UBds<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Replay review showed that Bauers\u2019 right foot came down on the bag.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure what C.B. Bucknor\u2019s looking at there. That\u2019s ridiculous,\u201d color commentator Bill Schroeder said.<\/p>\n

It also appeared Bucknor was not directly looking at the play.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just a waste of time reviewing that,\u201d Schroeder added.<\/p>\n

As play resumed on the field, both Rays manager Kevin Cash and Brewers skipper Pat Murphy had a visible laugh, presumably at Bucknor\u2019s expense.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, grateful for that,\u201d a smiling Bauers told reporters postgame of the replay review. \u201c\u2026 I don\u2019t know what happened. Just thankful to get on base and thankful to come around and score.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mishap at first followed eight pitch challenges initiated between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. Six of those calls were overturned, including back-to-back called strike threes against Reds slugger Eugenio Su\u00e1rez.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has one job to do, it\u2019s (to) call balls and strikes,\u201d Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t his best day. That\u2019s what the system does. It\u2019s out there, everybody sees it, and he\u2019ll be the first one to accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Umpires with highest overturn rate<\/p>\n

UmpireChallengesOverturnedOverturn PCT<\/p>\n

Chad Whitson<\/p>\n

7<\/p>\n

7<\/p>\n

100.0<\/p>\n

C.B. Bucknor<\/p>\n

8<\/p>\n

6<\/p>\n

75.0<\/p>\n

Chris Segal<\/p>\n

10<\/p>\n

7<\/p>\n

70.0<\/p>\n

Tripp Gibson<\/p>\n

6<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

66.7<\/p>\n

Carlos Torres<\/p>\n

7<\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

57.1<\/p>\n

Bucknor, a member of a major-league umpiring crew since 1999, graded out as the second-worst umpire by overturn rate during MLB\u2019s first regular-season weekend with ABS<\/a>. Only Chad Whitson graded out worse.<\/p>\n

Wednesday\u2019s series finale will be Bucknor\u2019s first game behind the plate since Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh I\u2019m really excited for him to have the plate tomorrow,\u201d Levering said.<\/p>\n