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MLB poised to overhaul instant replay for next season

(CBS News) A replay review could be coming soon in baseball. Major League Baseball says it wants to overhaul instant replay next season. If owners approve the plan, teams will be able to challenge calls on the field.

The plan follows criticism from players, managers, and fans alike who say the umpires are getting it wrong too often.

Baseball umpires, like everyone, are never perfect, but one memorable moment for baseball fans was when, in June 2010, Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga pitched a perfect game until a botched call by umpire Jim Joyce on what should have been the final out.

"Had this instant replay been in effect, that would have saved Jim Joyce a ton of grief and it would have given Armando Galarraga the elusive perfect game," Scott Miller, of CBS Sports, said.

Many might remember the 1996 playoff game between the Orioles and Yankees when 11-year-old Jeffrey Maier reached over the right field wall and caught a Derek Jeter fly ball that was still in play. It was interference, but the ump ruled it a home run. It tied the game and changed two teams' fortunes.

Miller said, "Even one blown call can be too many, if it's a really bad call, and it costs a team significantly."

Now that high-definition cameras cover just about every angle of every play, baseball officials are set to update their rules.

John Schuerholz, president of the Atlanta Braves, said, "This is a historic moment for baseball for baseball, in general, to dramatically reduce the number of incorrect calls that are made in any game that impact the outcome of that game."

As it stands now, replays are used only when a potential home run is in dispute. Under the new plan, managers would be allowed one challenge over the first six innings, and two from the seventh inning on. A crew at MLB headquarters in New York would make the final call. If a manager wins a challenge, he can use it again. Miller said, "Some people don't like the replay still, the purists, but the biggest concern is that it's going to add to the time of the game."

Balls and strikes cannot be reviewed -- only home runs or other issues, Glor added on "CBS This Morning."

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