Cleats have been a part of baseball since the earliest days of competition in the mid-1800s. A baseball cleat is a shoe that has pegs, spikes or bars mounted underneath to provide extra traction on grass and dirt. Baseball shoes as a whole are traditionally referred to as "cleats" by players, coaches and fans alike, and the pegs underneath are referred to as "spikes." Baseball cleats have become commonplace on the field, and are worn by baseball players from the professional ranks to Little League.
Design
Baseball cleats are made by a slew of manufacturers, and nearly all of the major shoe producers now have a line of baseball cleats in their arsenal. Cleats vary significantly in design, width, length and effectiveness. Cleats are often made of synthetic leather, with an inner cushioned sole on the inside and metal or rubber spikes on the bottom. The number of spikes can vary from a half dozen all the way up to more than 20. Some cleats combine metal and rubber spikes.
Misconceptions
A trip to the local sporting goods store will show several dozen cleats that look strikingly similar. If you glance at the bottom however, you will find that the spike is the main telling factor on whether the shoe belongs on a baseball, football, golf or soccer field. Baseball cleats often contain between six and 20 spikes, whereas most soccer and golf cleats contain double that. Golf cleats traditionally contain pin-size metal spikes or small, divoted pegs that screw in individually.
Wide and Narrow
Most people have foot sizes that vary considerably, not only in length but also in width. Because of this, cleat manufacturers have created an entire line of shoes that are wider in width to accommodate people with wide feet. This helps reduce pain due to a shoe being too tight, and also provides additional traction due to the added shoe-to-ground contact area.
Benefits
Wearing cleats provides added traction over standard tennis shoes on a baseball field. Sprinting, changing direction and general movement is easier and more controlled. It also provides a certain measure of safety, as the additional traction provided by the spikes helps prevent injuries that occur from slipping and lost footing.
Spike Length
In football, the spikes on the bottom of the shoe come in a variety of lengths, usually ranging from 1/2 inch up to 1 inch long. Every league regulates their own spike length limit in football, thus creating an array of spike sizes. Baseball, however, works differently, and the majority of the spike lengths come in 1/2 inch sizes. According to Thomas Hanlon's 2009 version of "The Sports Rules Book," most adult baseball leagues limit the spike length to 3/4 inches.
Verdict
Cleats can be found in all sizes, from the smallest children's size to the largest men or women's size. Before making a decision, try on the pair and walk around to ensure that they fit comfortably and that your ankles have sufficient support.
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