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Selig plans rethink of rules for umpires

Veteran umpire Jim Joyce enters the playing field for a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on June 3, 2009. (UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt)
1 of 3 | Veteran umpire Jim Joyce enters the playing field for a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on June 3, 2009. (UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt) | License Photo

DETROIT, June 3 (UPI) -- Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday he may change the rules for umpires after a bad call cost a pitcher a perfect game.

Selig said he will consult with the unions involved and consider how to use instant replay to improve umpiring, CNN reported. Jim Joyce, the umpire involved, has acknowledged his decision Wednesday night was not correct.

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"As Jim Joyce said in his post-game comments, there is no dispute that last night's game should have ended differently," Selig said. "While the human element has always been an integral part of baseball, it is vital that mistakes on the field be addressed."

Joyce said "nobody feels worse than I do" about his blown call that took a perfect game away from Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga.

Joyce's call at first base came with two outs in the ninth inning Wednesday after Galarraga had retired 26 straight Cleveland batters.

The crowd booed as Joyce called Indians shortstop Jason Donald safe at first.

Detroit won 3-0. Galarraga ended up with a one-hitter and the first shutout of his career.

Galarraga praised the umpire for admitting he had made a mistake.

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"I give ... a lot of credit to that guy saying, 'Hey I need to talk to you because I really want to say I'm sorry,'" Galarraga said.

Joyce, who has been umpiring in the major leagues since 1989, said he realized his error after watching the instant replay in the locker room. He called his mistake a "history call."

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