[greymule]

it appeared the runners toes made contact with {standing} shortstop right below his knee. I also thought it occurred past the 2B bag.

These facts are highly relevant under Fed and other codes. But they have no bearing in OBR. Rightly or wrongly, things like these are handled by the players, not the umpires.

Earlier this season, Josh Phelps of the Yankees, with a clear path to home plate and the ball still in the air, deliberately went out of his way to crash the Mariners' catcher, who was set up out in front of the plate. In no way did Phelps have to go through the catcher to reach home. The only call was safe. But Phelps was plunked the next time he came up.

What Phelps did was dirty, but it was not illegal under OBR rules.

But metal spikes are dangerous and the runner had no business breaking up a DP the way he did. IMHO, the runner carries a responsibility not to injure the guy while sliding; as he does not showing up a guy while running the bases after hitting a HR.

Admiral sentiments no doubt, but irrelevant to OBR rules.