[greymule]

This morning Curtis Sliwa and Ron Kuby were discussing the play on WABC. Unsurprisingly, Kuby tried to argue that the call was wrong because the rule prohibited the runner from swiping at the ball, whereas A-Rod swiped at Arroyo's arm. Kuby apparently thinks the baseball rule book should have to hold up legally before some New York City judge. Of course, a reading of the rule in its entirely does cover the play.

Then they got Warner Wolfe into the act. Warner explained that A-Rod could barrel over Arroyo as long as A-Rod stayed in the 45-foot running lane. Fielders, you see, have to stay out of that lane. Wolfe also explained that pitchers usually use a swipe tag in such a situation, because if they are in the running lane, as Arroyo was, they can be called for "interference" [we know it's OBS]. The fact that Arroyo had the ball in his possession apparently does not enter into consideration.

In fact, if there was ever an obvious call to be made, this was it. As for the people who think similar plays are not called at home plate, barreling into the catcher can be construed as an attempt to reach the plate. Reaching, swiping, grabbing, karate chopping, gouging--these are not.