- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Umpire Struggles as Automated Ball-Strike System Overrules Calls in Reds-Red Sox Game
Red Sox manager Alex Cora criticizes umpire C.B. Bucknor's performance after several calls were overturned by the new automated system.
Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:52pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
In a Saturday MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds, home plate umpire C.B. Bucknor faced off against the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, with the ABS overruling six of Bucknor's calls. Red Sox manager Alex Cora criticized Bucknor's performance, saying he 'has one job to do' and that 'it wasn't his best day.' The game also saw a controversial check-swing call that led to Cora's ejection.
Why it matters
This game highlights the ongoing transition to automated umpiring systems in MLB, which are designed to improve accuracy but can also create tension between human umpires and the new technology. The performance of veteran umpire Bucknor and the Red Sox manager's reaction underscore the challenges of implementing these changes while maintaining the human element of the game.
The details
During the game, batters challenged eight of Bucknor's ball-strike calls, and six of them were overturned by the ABS. This included back-to-back third-strike calls that were overturned for Reds batters Eugenio Suarez and Will Benson. The most controversial moment came when Bucknor refused to check with the first-base umpire on a check-swing call by Boston's Trevor Story, leading to the ejection of manager Alex Cora.
- The game took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
- The Red Sox and Reds will close out their three-game series on March 29 at 1:40 p.m. ET in Cincinnati.
The players
C.B. Bucknor
A major league umpire since 1999 who faced challenges from the new Automated Ball-Strike system during the game.
Alex Cora
The manager of the Boston Red Sox who criticized Bucknor's performance and was ejected from the game.
Trevor Story
A Boston Red Sox batter whose check-swing call led to the ejection of manager Alex Cora.
Eugenio Suarez
A Cincinnati Reds batter who successfully challenged back-to-back third-strike calls by umpire C.B. Bucknor.
Will Benson
A Cincinnati Reds batter who also successfully challenged back-to-back third-strike calls by umpire C.B. Bucknor.
What they’re saying
“He has one job to do, to call balls and strikes. It wasn't his best day.”
— Alex Cora, Manager, Boston Red Sox
“I don't have anything really good to say about the situation, so I'm not going to say anything else.”
— Trevor Story
“I've got to do better on my end to just not get overly aggressive and be absolutely sure.”
— Roman Anthony, Catcher, Boston Red Sox
What’s next
The Red Sox and Reds will close out their three-game series on March 29 at 1:40 p.m. ET in Cincinnati.
The takeaway
This game highlights the ongoing challenges of implementing automated umpiring systems in MLB, as veteran umpires like C.B. Bucknor struggle to adapt to the new technology. The tension between human umpires and the ABS system, as well as the reactions from managers like Alex Cora, underscores the delicate balance the league must strike as it modernizes the game.
Boston top stories
Boston events
Mar. 31, 2026
The Outsiders (Touring)Apr. 1, 2026
The Outsiders (Touring)Apr. 2, 2026
The Outsiders (Touring)


