Baseball shoes are specialized pieces of equipment designed to improve performance on the baseball field. With the variety of defensive positions, playing surfaces and field conditions in the game, baseball shoes, commonly referred to as "cleats," serve a variety of purposes.
Traction
Baseball is played on such surfaces as grass, dirt, mud, clay and artificial turf. Every type of baseball shoe provides traction while running or changing directions. At any given time, a baseball player is required to make a quick decision that requires traction. Having traction for changing directions allows for a fast start without being injured.
Batting
In the batter's box, a player uses a great deal of force to swing the bat. If ordinary shoes were worn on the dirt, the foot could slip, thus resulting in a loss of power in the swing. The cleats on the baseball shoes dig into the dirt, allowing the power that is generated with the legs, hips and arms to be transferred to the bat.
Defense
Playing defense requires quick reflexes and explosive movements to track down batted balls. During a play, a defensive player may be required to transition over several surfaces, including grass and dirt. Wearing baseball shoes provide the traction to react and move quickly to make a play. Without the proper baseball shoes, infielders may slip on the dirt as they react to a batted ball.
Running the Bases
Base running requires instincts, speed and quickness. Stopping and starting are common while base running and without proper shoes, the base runner will slip on the dirt. For example, if a batter hits a ball deep into the outfield for a triple, he is required to run in a circle to reach third base. Baseball shoes give the traction needed to make the turn around the bases.
Types
Baseball shoes are designed for a variety of surfaces and league rules. The common types are molded, interchangeable or metal. Molded cleats are common among youth leagues and can be worn on and off the field. Interchangeable cleats allow the user to change the cleats from molded to metal based on playing surfaces. Metal cleats are common among high school, college and professional players. These shoes provide the greatest level of traction because the cleats dig into the surface.
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