Soccer Vs. Baseball Cleats
Although all cleats might look the same, there are important differences between cleats used for soccer and cleats used for baseball. The two are similar in most respects, but shoe manufacturers have developed the two types of cleats in subtle yet specific ways to help players in their respective sports. That's why, before picking up just any kind of cleats, it's important to know which are which.
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Toe spike
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Baseball cleats have an extra spike on the toe to help players get an initial jump, either out of the batter's box after a hit or to track down a ball on defense. Soccer cleats do not have this extra spike because soccer players are in constant motion and do not need the extra push. Also, the toe spike is illegal in most soccer leagues because it can cause injury to another player.
More ankle support
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Baseball uses a lot of instant lateral (or side-to-side) movement when players are playing defense or on the base path trying to get to the next base. As such, baseball cleats use a heftier ankle support system than soccer. In soccer, cleats forgo ankle support to allow players a wider range of movement for their feet, which is important when trying to aim the ball.
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Spike length
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Baseball spikes are longer than soccer spikes because baseball players have to get more traction while running on dirt or turf while soccer players only have to worry about playing on grass. Also, shorter cleats allow soccer players to stay closer to the ground, keeping the player's center of gravity low and helping him maintain his balance.
Toe leather
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Soccer cleats have a more durable and harder leather (or a synthetic substitute) material than baseball cleats, which is extremely important in soccer because of they will use the top of their shoe to kick the ball. Baseball players don't generally need to use their feet except for running, meaning the tops of their shoes are thinner and less durable.
Steel cleat option
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Baseball cleats sometimes come with steel cleats rather than the usual rubber kind (some cleats are actually replaceable depending on the surface being played on). This is because certain baseball fields are harder to run on than others. Soccer cleats, meanwhile, do not allow the option of steel cleats because all surfaces are grass and because of the high injury risk of accidentally kicking another player.
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References
- Photo Credit soccer shoe closeup image by Daniel Gillies from Fotolia.com
