Umpire CB Buckner Voices Displeasure Over Automatic Ball Strike System

CB Buckner, an umpire in Major League Baseball since 1999, has expressed strong feelings against the new automatic ball strike system (ABS). This came to light during a recent game where the Red Sox faced the Reds in Cincinnati, leading to an unexpected finish.

In a tight match that ended 6-5 after 11 innings, Buckner faced a total of eight challenges against his calls; six of these were overturned, which is, I suppose, quite unusual. Two of the calls in question were consecutive pitches during the sixth inning. Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez successfully challenged two strike-threes against Boston’s rookie, Ryan Watson.

The first pitch hit Watson on the knee, while the second was an outside fastball that was low enough to warrant reconsideration.

Watson, reflecting on the moment, said, “I was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s two in a row.’ But yeah, I just took a deep breath and tried to get back in the zone.” It’s interesting how quickly tension can build up like that—such a strange mix of pressure and focus.

Though Buckner’s calls were justified in his view, the ABS tech deemed both pitches as balls. The home crowd in Cincinnati was quite animated, to say the least, erupting after the two calls were reversed.

Watson described the atmosphere: “This is probably the loudest sound I’ve ever heard in a stadium while pitching. It was intense, for sure.” It’s kind of wild to think how a single call can shift the whole momentum of a game.

As the game progressed to the eighth inning, things heated up again when Buckner called Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story for a checked swing. Unfortunately, Boston could not challenge this call. With the team trailing, Story was understandably upset, and that prompted both manager Alex Cora and third base coach Jose Flores to intervene and calm him down.

After the exchange of words, Buckner ended up ejecting Cora. The manager later commented, “He has one job to do, and that’s call balls and strikes. Today wasn’t his best day.” He acknowledged the challenges umpires face, but it’s evident he wasn’t impressed with Buckner’s performance.

The Red Sox managed to tie the game in the ninth with a solo home run, courtesy of Weiler Abreu. However, they ultimately fell short after the Reds’ center fielder Dane Myers secured a walk-off hit in the 11th inning. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions in these games, really. One minute you think you’re in control, and the next, it’s all out of your hands.