Was This the Worst Play Call in Major League Baseball?

Amy Curtis | April 01, 2026 10:00 AM

Just the other day, Senator Chris Murphy had the hottest of hot takes on MLB's Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), which it rolled out for the 2026 season. Under these rules, MLB teams get two challenges per game; if the challenged call is overturned, they retain the challenge, and if it isn't, they lose the challenge.

After this call last night, it's clear ABS and replay systems are vital to the game, because this may be one of — if not the worst — calls in the history of the game.

It took place at last night's Milwaukee Brewers game. They were playing the Tampa Bay Rays when Brewers outfielder/first baseman Jake Bowers hit the ball towards right field.

Tampa Bay missed the catch and threw the ball to first base, where it went wide while Bauers touched the bag.

Bauers was then called out because first base umpire C.B. Bucknor said he never touched the base.

Watch:

CB Bucknor strikes again, this time saying the runner did not touch first base. He very clearly did pic.twitter.com/zn6k9RtLXl
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 1, 2026

Not only did Bauers clearly touch the bag, but Bucknor also wasn't even looking at the play to make the call.

Even Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash was baffled by this call.

It would be helpful if CB was watching the runner and not the ball sail over everyone's head. No wonder he misses everything. pic.twitter.com/q7CKRqlsvX
— Al Bundy (@Markymark1025) April 1, 2026

Thank goodness for the replay.

I think it was an honest mistake. He was watching the errant throw while the runner stepped on 1st and then looked back to see his next foot land beyond the bag.

Fire for incompetence.

Strongly encourage to retire.

Something.

We are better than this. pic.twitter.com/bcZ0n0kZpS
— Josh 🇺🇸 (@TheJpawn) April 1, 2026