During a recent game, Charlie Culberson squared to bunt with two runners on and no outs. The pitch came in high and hit him square in the face. The moment was tough to watch, especially in slow motion, as the ball made direct contact. Trainers and coaches rushed to check on him, with Ron Washington seen giving him support. The concern from teammates and staff was clear, and there was visible frustration in the dugout.
The umpires ruled it a strike, citing that Culberson had his bat out. That call didn’t sit well with Braves manager Brian Snitker, who exploded on the umps, dropping plenty of profanity. Snitker argued that Culberson was defending himself, not attempting a bunt, and his rage only built as he continued yelling from the dugout. He was eventually ejected, still shouting his case as he left the field.
Whether or not Culberson was actively bunting, the ruling followed the official rulebook. Still, the lack of discretion shown in a situation where a player took a ball to the face sparked plenty of debate. The big concern remains for Culberson’s health, as the impact was direct and harsh.