With the recent attention placed on composite bats, players forget the importance of quality softball cleats. Softball cleats increase performance both offensively and defensively, and new technological developments focus on added comfort and safety as well. Players should always consider carefully the type of footwear they wear onto the field.
Types
Manufactures design two main categories of softball cleats: rubber and metal. Rubber cleats remain the most commonly-utilized softball cleats. Youth organizations do not permit metal cleats, and the majority of slow-pitch and adult leagues initiate similar regulations. However, collegiate and professional fast-pitch teams prefer metal cleats due to the additional traction. Beginning with the 2008 season, high school organizations agreed that metal cleats should be permitted on the field.
Function
Softball cleats provide traction both on the dirt infield and the grass outfield. In wet conditions, players truly notice the difference between softball cleats and regular sneakers. Both offensive and defensive players benefit from softball cleats. They provide runners the necessary explosion out of the batter's box, and pitchers dig in with their toes to drive off the mound. Softball is a game of lateral movement, and softball cleats provide players the ability to stop quickly and start again without slips.
Features
Waterproof materials remain necessary qualities considering that spring is the season for softball and rain. A thick tongue folds over the laces to prevent dirt from entering the shoe and to protect the top of the foot from balls, bats and other players. Thanks to a rule revision by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, manufactures can choose to add metal toe plates to the fronts. This plate, geared toward pitchers, protects a player's toes when her foot drags through the dirt. It also prevents the cleats from ripping and wearing out quickly. Finally, many cleats boast interchangeable cleats. Players can switch between metal and rubber cleats depending on field conditions and applicable rules.
Size
Softball cleats must fit snugly around the foot, and players should always tie the laces tightly to prevent slips and injuries. Many players will require smaller cleats than they expect. To guarantee the appropriate fit, players should wear softball socks when trying their cleats on. Designers offer high-cut, mid-cut and low-cut softball cleats. While high-cut cleats provide additional support for players with weak ankles, mid-cut and low-cut cleats anticipate speed.
Warning
Many new synthetic field surfaces are easily damaged by metal cleats. Even collegiate teams playing at these locations must wear rubber cleats. Additionally, while metal cleats provide exceptional traction, this traction can prove harmful when players fail to lift their feet when sliding and catch a spike in the dirt. Because both metal and rubber cleats slip on pavement and other hard surfaces, players should make it a habit to wear other shoes to and from the field. Walking on solid ground also wears the cleats down. Worn softball cleats should be replaced immediately; without the necessary spike length, they perform no better than sneakers and foster both errors and injuries.
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