Shoes (US size)

Baseball / Softball Shoes

Types and materials

There are three different types of baseball and softball cleats: there are metal cleats, moulded cleats and turf shoes. The turf baseball cleats and moulded baseball shoes have rubber or plastic studs. The baseball cleats are made of metal. The most of the baseball sneakers are made of leather or genuine leather.

Construction

There are low, mid and high baseball shoes models. For a baseball pitcher, it doesn't matter if you grab high or low shoes. this will have no effect during the game. Low and mid cleats are very efficient when speed is important. If you want more stability on your ankles, the high model is the best choice, because hightop baseball cleats give you more grip. High shoes with metal cleats are recommended for catchers, because they are very stable and provide a good grip. Turf shoes are often used during training. These shoes also provide good grip and stability. Baseball turf shoes come in low and mid-top models. Pitcher shoes have extra protection because the front of the shoe often sticks into the ground.

History

In 1860, baseball players began to use cleats. Cleats where made because baseball players had almost no grip while playing. The first baseball player that used spikes on baseball shoes is Paul Butler. The first shoes were made of leather. Many players stated that these shoes are not comfortable.

User moment

Rubber and plastic cleats are used in youth baseball and softball. Metal cleats are forbidden in youth leagues, because players can be injured. Metal cleats are used at higher levels of baseball and softball. Metal cleats provide better traction on wet, soft and muddy ground, because they stick better in the grass. More and more players in the MLB are using plastic cleats, because of the lighter weight of cleats. Rubber cleats are often used on dry ground.

Training shoes

Training baseball shoes can be used for training but also for games. Baseball shoes for training are often cheaper then game shoes, because for games people want better shoes.

Brands

A baseball / softball shoe must have good stability. Shoes that have a good stability are: New Balance baseball shoes, Nike baseball shoes, Under Armour baseball shoes and Adidas baseball shoes, Nike baseball cleats and so on. There are also Reebok shoes and Rawlings baseball shoes. Metal spikes are not used on artificial gras, on artificial gras people use plastic spicks. 

Age, gender & sizes

The sizes: US 3,5 - 6,5 are sizes for children .The sizes from 6 till 12 are for adults. Baseball/softball shoes for men are typically wider and longer than baseball/softball shoes for woman, because men often have wider feet than woman. Other differences are that the colour combinations often differ in men and women.

Prices

The price of baseball and softball shoes can vary between 30-200 euros. Baseball shoes with metal studs are often more expensive than moulded studs. It is also often due to the size of the shoes. How bigger the sizes of the shoes, how expensive the shoe is. A shoe with artificial leather is cheaper than a shoe with real leather, because a shoe with real leather is more sustainable. 

Brands

Adams

Adidas

All-Star

Atec

Axe Bat

Baum Bat

Benson

Blitzball

Bolco

Crep

Cutters

DeMarini

Easton

Evoshield

Franklin

Gorilla Gold

Jugs

Kenko

Lizard Skins

Louisville Slugger

Majestic

Markwort

Marucci

Masterpieces

Miken

Mizuno

Mitchell & Ness

Mpowered

New Balance

New Era

Nike

P2I

ProHitter

Rawlings

Richardson

SKLZ

Smitty

Trace

Twin City

Under Armour

Victus

Vulcan

Wilson

Worth

XO Athletic