If she drags you'll need an armored toe box, or have to add a toe plate on your own. Pitchers can beat up an inexpensive pair of cleats, on the other hand if she's growing you might only need to get one season out of them.
My daughter uses New Balance spikes with Tuff Toe on the front of her drag foot. If applied correctly, it will outlast the spikes. Some girls use Ringor cleats, which have the pitching toe built in. We found them to be too heavy, but their new line is supposed to be lighter than the older Dynasty line.
If you go with Tuff Toe, she can use any brand of cleats she wants.
Almost 15. I was thinking yesterday that I need to come up with some absurd obstacles. It could be fun.We used a bunch of different brands over the years. Had a couple pair of Ringors, mid-heights with the pitcher toe (my Catcher DD used a pair of these as well) and the weight was never a problem for them. Mizuno and New Balance seemed to be preferred over time and yes on the Tuff Toe. DD is not above using good old fashioned duct tape on the toe box for her practice cleats to get that extra mileage out of them. So, figure out what feels best on your DD's feet and if $$ is a concern find the best place to buy them.
I don't know the age of your DD off hand so can't speak to metal vs rubber cleats.
Regarding the inevitable hole...practice in as many adverse conditions as possible. There's no guarantee when the game is on the line she won't be striding out over the Grand Canyon in a snow storm or something that feels just as intimidating. She'll be more comfortable having faced that ditch before.
Metal cleats and a pair of turf shoes...Almost 15. I was thinking yesterday that I need to come up with some absurd obstacles. It could be fun.
Are turf shoes ever preferable when pitching from dirt? I used to think yes, but I'm starting now to think no. I dunno. It'd be easier to pivot.Metal cleats and a pair of turf shoes...
No, I'm only suggesting turfs because we ran into numerous scenarios at tournaments/clinics, indoor facilities, etc., where they were required.Are turf shoes ever preferable when pitching from dirt? I used to think yes, but I'm starting now to think no. I dunno. It'd be easier to pivot.
There's only one synthetic field anywhere near us so I wouldn't buy turf shoes unless they had other benefits.