What Is The Correct Way To Tie Baseball Cleats?

In daily life, you may consider tying shoelaces a trivial task. But when it comes to the correct way to tie baseball cleats, it's another matter. Improperly tied baseball cleats can interfere with your play on the field. You will benefit greatly by taking a few extra minutes before each game to make sure you tie your cleats correctly.

Function

The laces on baseball cleats do more than just keep your shoes from coming off. The laces hold the shoe leather firmly in the correct position to provide your feet and ankles the proper support. This will make you more sure-footed on the baseball diamond. Even more important, when you tie baseball cleats the correct way, you reduce your risk of foot and ankle injuries.

Lacing

You must lace your baseball cleats correctly before you can tie them properly. Thread the ends of the shoelace through the pair of eyelets closest to the toe. Adjust the lace so the ends are of equal length. Finish lacing the baseball cleat by using a crisscross pattern.

Loosening

You will minimize strain on the shoe and make it easier to put it on by loosening the laces first. After you loosen the laces, put the cleat on. Adjust the sock so it's not bunched up or pulled too tightly over your toe.

Tying the Cleat

Grasp the shoelace ends where they emerge from each pair of eyelets, and pull them taut. Start with the pair of eyelets nearest the toe, and tighten the lace one pair of eyelets at a time. Your baseball cleats might have a flap at the top. If so, pull the flap aside and insert the laces through the final pair of eyelets. Tie the baseball cleat, and check to make sure the shoelace ends don't fall to the ground. You can reduce the chances the lace will come untied by tying the loops of the shoelace into a second knot.

Prevention/Solution

As a precaution, check your baseball cleat shoelaces from time to time during a game, and retie them if necessary. It's also a good idea to inspect the laces before each game for signs of wear. Keep a spare set handy, and replace laces whenever they start to show signs of wear or fraying. This will minimize the chances of a broken shoelace in the middle of a game.