There is a common mantra you hear around all levels of baseball that holds true for most sports. It says “Success if built from the ground upâ€. Successfully equipping players with the proper cleats is critical to consistent play. It can be instrumental in building positive relationships with the game. It is important to understand what an individual player requires out of their footwear. Also, that not every cleat or athletic shoe is appropriate for every playing surface or level of play. For instance, the majority of younger travel or in-house leagues do not allow metal spikes to be worn. Due to safety concerns while most full-turf complexes also prohibit them to limit the damage inflicted on the fields. It may be tempting to purchase metal cleats for younger players as they supply better traction.
[product_tag tags="cleats"]
Rubber Cleats
A molded rubber cleat is the best choice for younger players. The majority of footwear geared towards younger players are outfitted with rubber spikes. They are both safer and more comfortable than their metal counterparts. When looking for the ideal shoe, players and parents have a large variety of options. They feature improved padding for comfort and safety, reinforced toes and heels and come in low, mid and high-top designs. Be sure to choose a size that will effectively cradle the foot without squeezing it too tight. It may cut off circulation. It is better to choose a shoe that is slightly smaller than loose because unwanted shifting of the cleats while playing can result in painful injury or a reduction in effectiveness.
Metal Cleats
Metal “spikes†as they are more commonly referred are a far more advanced cleat design that is preferred by elite-level and professional baseball players. While some still choose to utilize molded rubber cleats at the professional level, metal spikes are far and away the most popular. The issue many players face when making the switch to metal over rubber cleats is an adjustment to the different feeling metal provides. The less malleable material puts unusual pressure on the foot. This takes some time to adjust to and can cause some pain through the first week or two of use. Metal cleats tend to be available in creative designs.
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