Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt has publicly criticized Major League Baseball's (MLB) technological limitations in determining close boundary calls, particularly after a controversial foul ball call involving teammate Pete Alonso. Bassitt, a member of the MLB Players Association executive subcommittee, stated that the league's failure to implement advanced review systems in 2026 is "crazy" and stems from a reluctance to spend money.
During Wednesday night's game against the Yankees, Alonso hit a fly ball down the left field line with the game tied in the seventh inning. The call on the field was foul, a decision upheld after video review. Alonso subsequently struck out, and the Yankees went on to win 5-3. The outcome had implications for the American League wild-card race, as the Orioles fell 1 1/2 games behind the Twins.
"It's just crazy that we still have this issue," Bassitt said, as reported by the Baltimore Sun. "I think we might be the only major sport with an issue like this. It's been years that we have technology that can easily use to say this is exactly the right thing or wrong thing, and the fact that we don't have it in 2026 is crazy."
Bassitt believes the lack of comprehensive technology for accurate fair or foul determinations is purely a financial decision by MLB. "Because it would cost money. That's it. I mean, that's literally it," he stated. "You ask every fan of this game, that's a true fan, every single fan would want those cameras. If you ask every single player, they would want those cameras. If you ask every coach, they want the cameras. It costs money. That's it. That's literally it."
Bassitt's own performance in the game saw him give up three runs on eight hits and a walk over 5 ⅔ innings, striking out six. He received a no-decision. This season, Bassitt has a 5.08 earned run average in 14 appearances, with 12 starts. Alonso contributed an earlier home run in the third inning, his 29th of the season. He is currently batting .267 with a .498 slugging percentage and 82 RBIs after signing a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles.