MILWAUKEE — The official stationed behind home plate, C.B. Bucknor, departed from the Tampa Bay Rays’ contest against the Milwaukee Brewers this past Wednesday after a deflected ball struck his protective mask.
During the second inning of the match, Tampa Bay’s Nick Fortes swung his bat at a 100-mph pitch delivered by Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski, sending a ball that rebounded rearward and impacted Bucknor.
Bucknor, aged 63, instantly pivoted and dropped to his knees while Brewers catcher William Contreras attended to him. Following the arrival of Brewers’ medical personnel on the field to assess his condition, Bucknor exited the playing area.
Chad Fairchild, who had been serving as the official at first base, assumed duties behind home plate following Bucknor’s exit, to facilitate a change to a three-person officiating team. The contest experienced a hiatus for approximately 13 minutes.