I genuinely don't understand the "excitement" argument. I love a perfectly-executed hook slide or a late deke, but there's nothing exciting about big players running into each other. More often a beautiful throw/cutoff from the outfield is ruined when the rules allow a 215-pounder to smash the fuck out of a catcher who's had the ball for three seconds.
I agree with this. There is the "will he hold onto it" factor, but I have never enjoyed seeing a collision at home plate in a sport that's not meant to be a contact sport. There's not really a place for it, and I think this rule will encourage better baserunning decisions.
I agree with you. I'm an O's fan and watching everything that Manny did this year was way, way better than seeing them hit each other. It doesn't even have the 'power balance' argument that comes up for beaning the batter or fighting in hockey. It's just violence for violence's sake.