Baseball & Softball Sizing Help, Tips & Information
Choosing the Right Baseball or Softball Cleats
Types of Cleats
A good pair of cleats is designed to give you the traction and support you need to perform. Baseball cleats come in three types: molded, interchangeable and metal.
Molded cleats have studs, most often rubber or hard plastic, that protrude directly from the outsole of the shoe. These studs puncture the playing surface, thereby providing traction and stability to the player. They cannot be removed since they are part of the shoe. This type of cleat is easy to maintain and does not require any manipulation.
Interchangeable cleats have removable spikes that can be switched and replaced. These cleats often come with metal and hard plastic or rubber spikes that can be swapped, depending on the field conditions. Some leagues ban the use of metal spikes for safety and surface maintenance reasons. With an interchangeable cleat, a player can simply replace the metal spikes with rubber or plastic ones. For this reason, interchangeable cleats are ideal for a player that only wants one shoe to play on different surfaces or in different leagues.
Metal cleats offer deep penetration into soft ground, allowing for quicker starts, stops and pivots. They also offer the best traction on grass or hard surfaces.
Materials
Baseball cleats are made from a variety of leathers and synthetic materials. Leather cleats tend to stretch with wear and mold to the feet. They also are very flexible and highly breathable.
Design
Cleats come in two different styles: low or 3/4-height. A 3/4-height cleat provides extra support for the ankle and helps to prevent injury to the ankle and connective tissue of the lower leg. Some players feel restricted by 3/4-height cleats and prefer the freedom of ankle movement that a low-cut cleat allows. For the most part, the design of your cleats is a matter of personal preference and comfort.
Caring for Cleats
Remove dirt and mud from your cleats after use. Some find it easier to let the mud dry and then chisel it off with a stick or fingers. The important thing is to make sure your cleats are clean before wearing them again. Should your cleats get wet, dry them naturally or by using a dehumidifier - don't put them over a heater or another artificial heat source. This will make your cleats stiff and could cause the leather or other materials to crack. It may also be a good idea to stuff your cleats with newspaper to help them maintain their shape.
