While football and baseball cleats may have some different features, their purpose is essentially the same. Both give an athlete stability and traction on the playing surface, and they are equally as important to a player's performance and safety.
Baseball Cleat Styles
For the most part, baseball cleats come in mid- and low-cut styles. The mid-cuts offer more support than the low-cut style, but are a little heavier. High tops aren't really necessary for baseball players, who rely more on lateral movements that don't have the same impact on the feet and ankles that football players experience.
Football Cleat Styles
Football cleats come in low-cut, mid-cut and high-tops. Usually, a player's position on the field helps determine what style of cleat he needs. Linemen will typically wear high-tops for added ankle support, which they need because of their size and weight combined with the types of movements they are required to perform. Skill players like running backs and wide receivers wear the mid- or low-cut cleats because they are lighter and more maneuverable on the field
Spikes
Most baseball cleats have either molded plastic spikes, detachable spikes or metal spikes. Metal spikes are more effective than plastic on the infield dirt, but can present safety hazards. Many scholastic and Little League organizations do not allow metal cleats. Most football cleats come with molded or detachable plastic spikes. Football players must have the ability to change spikes as field conditions change; for example, longer spikes are needed if the field is wet or muddy. Baseball isn't typically played in bad weather, so the need for detachable spikes isn't as great. Metal cleats are no longer legal at any level of football.
Construction
Baseball cleats have spikes that are positioned along the sides of the shoe for better support while making lateral movements. They sometimes come equipped with a toe plate that provides extra support for pitchers. Football cleats have spikes that are run horizontally across the shoe to give more front-driven support. They are designed to help football players dig in and resist force against his movement forward. They are usually made with a center toe cleat that offers added traction for quick starts and bursts.
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