Just like other sporting activities, baseball happens to be a game of full-on inches, ranging from the painting of the corner by a pitcher to beating out the tag by a runner. These inches at the end of the day will play a part in determining the winner and the loser. With this in mind, players always thrive to take advantage of any opportunity that might arise. That’s why as a baseball player you will look for one that will give you swift movement with ample flexibility. This means you will have the ability to make fast explosive movements while in the field. Those offering you superior traction will be given more consideration compared to others with less traction. Players look for products that offers maximum support around the ankle hence no possible injuries.

With all these in mind, it narrows down to having the best pair that you can buy. When picking our list we looked at the factors that many players take into consideration when buying these products. These factors help you in understanding the functionality and effectiveness of a pair of these shoes. The first is material:

Most baseball options will be made from genuine leather or synthetic leather. However, in our shoe collection, we have noticed that those made from synthetic materials have been more preferred because of the advanced technology they have. Nevertheless genuine leather has survived for long because they are supple, durable and also breathable. Genuine leather is definitely a plus compared to the synthetic leather and it’s also more costly and that’s why it’s rarely used in making many baseball shoes. Leather is indeed superior in quality but also it has a heavy price tag. The synthetic fabric, on the other hand, offers extra support to the foot, especially at the ankle part of the foot. They are also more affordable compared to those made from genuine leather. You will find all types of cleats when shopping mostly price determined by the price of the material used in the construction. Go for some that you can buy, however, be cautious of the very cheap ones since they are not comfortable nor are they durable.

When looking at the ankle support offered by baseball cleats, you have to take into consideration the type of baseball shoes you will be buying. We have three categories of baseball options:

High Tops: tend to extend upwards until they reach the ankle hence offer additional support to the foot, especially when a player is moving laterally. The only challenge is that they can restrict a player’s movement, but then they will surely provide maximum protection from any ankle injuries.

Mid Tops: if you a player who wants to enjoy easy movement and still have average ankle reinforcement, then these are the best option for your baseball game.

Low tops: they offer maximum speed with less stability, they enable the player to make very fast lateral movements. Since they are minimalistic in nature, then a player can sprint easily across the pitch or while going down the pitch’s base with quicker speed.

Toe drag is very important for a baseball player, especially for one who has to spend plenty of time mounding. The perfect ones for pitchers are those that have a toe area that is reinforced. This is due to the rubber being pushed off when the player is delivering. This unique issue or experience is only experienced by pitchers, and if the toe section is not reinforced, then they will start wearing out fast. If you are a player looking for an option that has reinforced toe parts, then you will find plenty of options to work with.

When shopping for a new pair of baseball shoes, you will find yourself bumping into three types of options. Those that are differentiated depending on the materials used in making the studs. This is a closer look at the types:

Metal Cleats: this option is known to offer the highest level of traction, this is because they can firmly dig into hard fields. This means they also have very firm grips. The grip offered works well even if you are running or just standing. For the batter, the metal ones are very useful since it helps them in digging a firm toehold, hence they will not slip when hitting the ball. The only challenge is that since they have is that they are known to cause injury due to the limited flexibility, they don’t permit a sudden change of direction by players. If you wear them on other surfaces that are not made of dirt or grass, then they will wear down very fast.

Molded Plastic Cleats: they are normally made of rubber or plastic. They are also permanently designed to be fixed to the shoes’ sole. They are strong and stable and can be worn in all types of surfaces, even on concrete without the fear that they will wear down. Compared to the metal ones, the plastic ones are cheaper and also more durable, however, they do not offer the same amount of grip offered by the metal products. Hence they are more worn and preferred when the ground is muddy or soft since they will easily bounce off ( allow a player to continue going with ample flexibility instead of getting stuck in a muddy field).

The Turf/Trainer Shoes: turf shoes are also common among baseball players are highly recommended when going for training or practice (though not encouraged for a game). For those who have their practices on training platforms that are not the usual playing fields, then turfs would be the perfect footwear. The turf will be more comfortable and they will not damage the training grounds compared to the metal options. The other thing to note is that when you wear the turfs, they should also be worn together with artificial turf so that you are able to enjoy the amount of grip offered if the surface is a little hard. They offer maximum traction by keeping the feet and the ground very close. There will be very minimal chances of one getting injured. When wearing plastic spikes don’t add artificial turfs on them, since you will be subjecting your feet to possible injury. They will also not offer any amount of traction for your feet because the studs will not be able to have any grip on the ground.

Baseball shoes are also determined by the position/ role that a player will be playing in the field. Taking into consideration the varieties of surfaces that players play on. Remember a base stealer will need a product that is very flexible, allowing him/her to easily move from one base to another very fast. While a cleat that offers multi-directional ability will best suit a player, who is playing the defense position. The field also has to be well maintained. Before each player laces up and heads to the field, they need to have a pair of cleats that fit their playing position.

Infielders: if you are an infielder you will have to pick between plastic ones and metal ones. When picking an option, it’s good to always take into consideration that the field is well maintained. A compact ground that is dense will be perfect, infielders will have to stay away from plastic studs since they can gather excess dirt. This will prove to be very problematic since the soles can collect gravel and sand hence making it difficult to navigate around. When playing such fields then it’s best to go for metal products.

Outfielders: in case you will be playing in an outfield that has been properly maintained, (firm and lush), then metal spikes ought to be used, this is because they will not be able to pick patches of dirt or grass (which normally happens when molded ones are used). When chasing a fly ball, an outfielder will have to plant his toes very hard and extra deep into, hence they will need metal ones as they will dig in and outside the surface of the field more effectively and easily.

Pitchers: pitchers depend on their push-off foot, to throw good stuff. Support and power are used to make sure this is possible. In case the bottoms fail to stick, then the base of the cleats will be very unstable (hence can be very wild when playing). If the ground you are playing on is densely packed, you will need the maximum stability that can only be provided by those that are metal studded. It’s also recommended that pitchers go for the low top option since the shoe’s side travels down to the bone of the ankle. The high top products can cause rubbing.

Youth/ Kids: kids playing baseball will require high-quality products because they are stylish or because their pals have the same ones. Of course, these are not the ideal reasons why someone should be buying these, and that’s why it’s good for parents to understand the importance of their kids having high-quality options. Comfort, flexibility, and durability happen to be the main factors. This is because having the incorrect pair will not only make the whole game uncomfortable and unbearable for your kid but then they will possibly cause an injury to your child’s foot. That’s why when looking for cool options for your kid, it’s good to make sure that they are very comfortable and that they fit properly. However, it’s good to note that a kid can enjoy a game much better if he/ she is wearing the shoes they like

When shopping for a new pair, it’s good to check on the size. When looking at correct sizing, you have to check how much room is left around your toe (ideal space should never exceed ¼ inch from the shoe end). The heel needs to have a snug fit. If you can’t pick the correct size or you are in a dilemma about what size to go for, pick then one that has a tight fit instead of the one with the loose fit. This is because after breaking in, the shoes will be able to expand and hence give you a more comfortable feel. With a shoe that fits snugly, you will be offered enough support hence be able to make quick movements and twists. With the correct sizing comes ample cushioning, with good cushioning and the correct foot type, then the fit will be perfect.

Some players will take into consideration the length of the studs/ spikes. If it’s not their preferred height or length, then they will seek to change the length. This is because they will have a different playing field, and each field needs a different stud length for the player to enjoy a comfortable and fun game. Harder fields require shorter studs. While softer fields will need studs that are longer. Longer studs can dig more into the surface.