| Baseball Youth Digest: Before you purchase a | | | | frequently check the detachable cleats because a |
| new pair of baseball cleats, there are certain | | | | gap between the sole and the stud does exist. |
| things that you should know about the baseball | | | | Detachable cleats can be used for longer periods |
| shoes. These things are related to how the cleats | | | | of times because the studs can be changed and |
| are made and how to size your new game shoes. | | | | replaced. |
| This article lists and explains 6 important things | | | | 4. Combination baseball cleats use both metal and |
| that every baseball player, coach, and parent | | | | plastic cleats, as well as cleats of different shapes |
| should know about baseball cleats. | | | | and lengths. Combination baseball cleats are used |
| Before you buy a new pair of baseball shoes, | | | | in wet and extremely muddy conditions. |
| make sure to read and know the following facts | | | | Combination baseball cleats provide excellent |
| about baseball shoes: | | | | traction and control in slippery turf conditions. |
| 1. You should know the rules that you must | | | | 5. Baseball players with speed often size their |
| comply with as they regard cleat length and kinds | | | | baseball cleats a 1/2 size smaller than their normal |
| of cleats allowed. Some leagues do not allow | | | | shoe size. Under or tight sizing your baseball shoes |
| players to wear metal cleats. The length of your | | | | 1/2 size keeps the foot snug in the shoe. This |
| cleats or studs must comply with league and | | | | snug fit prevents a sliding or slipping motion of the |
| association safety rules. Most leagues have a 1/2 | | | | players socked feet inside the shoe when the |
| inch length rule. Younger kids should have shorter | | | | runner accelerates to steal a base. |
| studs to add stability and prevent turning of the | | | | 6. Make sure to lace your shoe tightly to insure a |
| ankles. | | | | snug fit. As said before, a snug shoe reacts |
| 2. Molded baseball cleats have studs that are | | | | better to the movement of the foot inside the |
| molded of plastic, rubber, or other urethane | | | | shoe. Many players are buying shoe designs with |
| material. These studs or "cleats" are attached | | | | Velcro rather than shoe laces. They feel that |
| permanently to the sole of the baseball shoe. | | | | Velcro can be use to get a tighter "lace up". |
| These molded cleats are usually made to last one | | | | Velcro also does not come untied like regular shoe |
| season. Rubber molded cleats are recommended | | | | strings or laces. |
| for use on hard surfaces. Molded baseball cleats | | | | For more great articles on coaching and playing |
| are cheaper than detachable cleats. | | | | baseball visit the Baseball Coaching Digest, Youth |
| 3. Detachable baseball cleats have studs that can | | | | Baseball Digest, Baseball Parent Guide, and the |
| be removed and replaced with other stud designs. | | | | Little League Digest. Good luck to you and your |
| Replacement cleats have considerably less | | | | team. |
| durability than permanent cleats. It is important to | | | | |