What style of cleats are best for pitching?

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Jan 25, 2022
880
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Gotta get the kid some new cleats. For pitching out of the dirt (and the inevitable crater in front of the rubber), is any type or style of cleat preferable? Spikes, rubber, etc. Or do ya just run what ya brung?
 
May 15, 2008
1,913
113
Cape Cod Mass.
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.
 

LEsoftballdad

DFP Vendor
Jun 29, 2021
2,838
113
NY
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.
 
Jan 25, 2022
880
93
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.

She's 15 in a couple months. I'm not sure if she's done with height, but I don't think her shoe size has changed in probably three years. She's been pitching right at three years now, but we didn't go to a stride until back in the summer. We've been limited to a rug most of this time, and when she gets in the dirt she's lagging some. I'd say some of it has to do with the hole.

Our rubber area is in desperate need of some clay bricks. We shored it up with clay mix last season but it didn't last too long. We'll get it fixed up good soon but I want her to be able to perform regardless of the surface condition and didn't want her to be in cleats that hinder her if such a thing existed.
 
Jan 25, 2022
880
93
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.

I see a million uses for this stuff..lol
 
Oct 1, 2014
2,219
113
USA
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.
 
Jan 25, 2022
880
93
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.
Almost 15. I was thinking yesterday that I need to come up with some absurd obstacles. It could be fun.
 
Jan 25, 2022
880
93
Metal cleats and a pair of turf shoes...
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.
 
Oct 1, 2014
2,219
113
USA
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.
No, I'm only suggesting turfs because we ran into numerous scenarios at tournaments/clinics, indoor facilities, etc., where they were required.
 

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