Umpire C.B. Bucknor Exits After 100-MPH Foul Tip in Rays-Brewers Game

Veteran umpire C.B. Bucknor left Wednesday's game in Milwaukee after a 100-mph fastball resulted in a foul tip to his face mask.

A 100-mph fastball from Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski led to a significant C.B. Bucknor injury during the second inning of Wednesday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. The incident occurred when Rays batter Nick Fortes swung at the triple-digit heater, resulting in a foul tip that traveled directly backward into the face mask of the 63-year-old home plate umpire. Following the impact, the veteran official immediately turned away from the action and dropped to his knees behind the catcher's box.

Brewers catcher William Contreras was the first to check on the welfare of the veteran official as he knelt on the dirt. The medical training staff from the Milwaukee dugout quickly rushed to the field to conduct a consultation. After a brief evaluation on the diamond, the decision was made for the home plate umpire to depart the contest for further observation. This exit necessitated a complete restructuring of the officiating crew for the remainder of the afternoon at American Family Field.

Transition to Three-Man Umpiring Crew

The departure of the veteran official triggered a 13-minute delay as the remaining crew members adjusted their positions. Chad Fairchild, who began the contest stationed at first base, moved behind home plate to assume the ball-and-strike duties. Because no reserve official was available to step in immediately, the game proceeded with a three-man crew. This transition required the remaining umpires to cover more ground across the infield to manage calls at the various bases.

Jacob Misiorowski and Nick Fortes At-Bat Details

The specific play that caused the C.B. Bucknor injury involved a high-velocity sequence between Misiorowski and Fortes. The 100-mph velocity of the pitch added significant force to the ball as it deflected off the bat. While foul tips are common in Major League Baseball, the direct nature of this strike to the mask proved too severe for the official to continue his duties. The training staff's intervention was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the 63-year-old following the head impact.

Impact on the Rays-Brewers Wednesday Matchup

Wednesday's game in Milwaukee saw the Tampa Bay Rays facing the Brewers in a contest that was briefly halted by the second-inning medical emergency. The 13-minute stoppage represented the only significant pause in the early stages of the game. Once Fairchild completed his equipment change to don the chest protector and mask, play resumed with the modified three-man alignment. The Brewers' medical personnel provided the primary on-field care before the official was escorted back to the locker room area for the duration of the game.