In a strange sequence Saturday, Akinori Iwamura and Alex Rodriguez had their bats confiscated by umpires during Tampa Bay's game against the New York Yankees.

First, the Yankees requested that Iwamura's unusual model, featuring a flat end rather than a rounded one, be inspected to make sure it met major league specifications, according to Tampa Bay spokesman Chris Costello.

Not to be outdone, Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon asked the umps to examine Rodriguez's bat an inning later.

Iwamura has been using the same model all season. It was checked by umpires and deemed acceptable during a game at Arizona in June.

The ruckus started Saturday with Iwamura batting for the Devil Rays with two outs in the second inning. With runners at first and second and the count 2-2, New York manager Joe Torre came out of the dugout for a discussion with plate umpire Kerwin Danley that lasted a couple of minutes.

Danley huddled with the other umps before they all engaged in an animated discussion with Maddon, delaying the game several more minutes. After the conversation ended, Maddon walked over and spoke to Iwamura, now waiting by the on-deck circle.

First-base umpire Doug Eddings confiscated Iwamura's red bat, which was taken into the umpires' room down the hall from New York's clubhouse.

Iwamura went back up to the plate with a shiny new bat _ same model _ and struck out swinging on the next pitch. The rookie from Japan was allowed to use that model for the rest of the game, according to Costello.

When Rodriguez stepped to the plate in the third with a runner on second and one out, Maddon came out of the dugout for a chat with Danley. A-Rod's bat was promptly confiscated and taken to the umpires' room as well.

Using another bat, the slugger singled to left field. He also hit his 45th homer in the first inning and a two-run double in the fourth.

Both confiscated bats are expected to be sent to the commissioner's office for inspection. Iwamura's bats are made by Nike, an approved supplier for major league baseball, Costello said.

Of course, the most famous bat flap in baseball history also took place at Yankee Stadium, the "pine tar" game on July 24, 1983.

George Brett's go-ahead homer in the ninth inning for the Kansas City Royals was disallowed by umpires because the pine tar on Brett's bat exceeded the 18-inch limit, which New York manager Billy Martin pointed out after the ball had cleared the fence.

After a discussion, the umpires called Brett out, sending the slugger into a wild rage.

Days later, American League president Lee McPhail ruled that Brett's home run should count. The rest of the game was played Aug. 18 that year with Kansas City beating the Yankees 5-4.

Interestingly, the plate umpire who called Brett out 24 years ago was Tim McClelland. Now a respected crew chief, he was the ump who checked Iwamura's bat and deemed it OK on June 18 in Arizona.