Baseball cleats are not OK for competitive soccer. You can wear them for an informal game with friends, but you should not wear them for matches. For safety reasons, many referees will not even let you on the field wearing baseball cleats. Beyond that, you will be severely limiting your abilities if you do not have the correct footwear.
Cleat Design
Baseball spikes have an extra cleat on the toe of the shoe. A soccer referee will not let you wear a shoe with a toe cleat as it poses a threat to other players during tackles. Your performance could also suffer if you play soccer with this extra cleat. The extra front foot traction is useful in baseball, but the cleat could hinder your ability to kick a soccer ball cleanly. If you catch the toe cleat on the ground, you will not make a clean contact.
Restrictive
Soccer players need as much freedom of movement as possible in the foot and ankle area. Baseball cleats tend to be mid- or high-cut at the ankle for greater support, while soccer cleats are low-cut. The low cut is less restrictive and helps to keep weight to a minimum. Furthermore, unlike baseball cleats, soccer cleats do not have a midsole. This helps you keep your feet as close to the ground as possible when striking a soccer ball.
Weight
You will run a lot farther during a 90-minute soccer match than in a baseball game. For this reason, soccer shoe manufacturers design their cleats to be as light as possible. The extra weight of baseball cleats will reduce you stamina, negatively affecting your entire game.
Materials
Soccer cleat manufacturers use materials specifically selected for their durability, flexibility and comfort. Lightweight synthetic, calf and kangaroo leather soccer cleats can withstand repeated ball contact without suffering any great wear and tear. Baseball cleats tend to be more rigid because there is no need for any great sense of touch or feel. This rigidity will cause them to degrade with repeated ball contact, and will reduce your feel for the ball.
Sport-Specific Innovations
Soccer cleats feature various technological innovations designed to improve your game. These include cleats designed to enhance ball swerve, control and shooting power. Another common innovation is the use of offset laces, designed to maximize the soccer cleat's "sweet spot" or contact zone. Baseball cleats have no such innovations, and are more likely to hinder rather than enhance your soccer abilities.
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