Metal Cleats

[Amanda12]

DD is a pitcher and plays first base, good pitcher, excellent hitter but a slow runner, that is the way she is. She uses the Ringor cleats (wide) and her coach is suggesting metal cleats may help her move faster. She is reluctant to use them, but she will try. Should I get her a cheap pair for her to try and let her decide if she likes them before expending on the expensive ones! and if she finally likes them, I would like suggestions of any brand with wide sizes. She is 15 yo, 5' 9" and 140 lbs.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

I prefer metal cleats and never wore rubber ones. We wore metal from 10 yrs. and on up. I don't know when it changed.

But, I am your DDs size and they never helped me run any faster, than what I was running in normal tennis shoes.

I believe learning to run faster takes a lot of dedication and work at a training center.

10 to 1, your DD is probably alright for the positions she is playing.

I think that Ringor makes metal cleats, also.

 

[amanda_cake]

If I was you, I'd look for cleats that have the spikes that can be switched with plastic ones. They sell cleats with metal cleats that come out so you can put plastic cleats in there, in case you play in an association that bans metal cleats one weekend. Won't have to have two pairs of shoes that way.

I don't wear metal cleats, even though I have the option to. I'd cut myself with them for sure.

 

[Coach Al]

ASA bans metal cleats in J.O. play.

G. SHOES. Must be worn by all participants. A shoe shall be considered official
if it is made with either canvas or leather uppers or similar material(s). The
soles may be either smooth or have soft or hard rubber cleats. Ordinary metal
sole or heel plates may be used if the cleats on the plates do not extend
more than 3/4 of an inch from the sole or heel of the shoe. Shoes with round
metal spikes are illegal. Shoes with detachable cleats that screw on are not
permitted however; shoes with detachable cleats that screw INTO the shoe
are permitted.
EXCEPTION: All Junior Olympic Fast and Slow Pitch, Co-ed Slow Pitch, and
Senior Slow Pitch Play: No metal spikes nor hard plastic or polyurethane
spikes similar to metal sole and heel plates are allowed.

 

[Coach-n-Dad]

ASA bans metal cleats in J.O. play.

G. SHOES. Must be worn by all participants. A shoe shall be considered official
if it is made with either canvas or leather uppers or similar material(s). The
soles may be either smooth or have soft or hard rubber cleats. Ordinary metal
sole or heel plates may be used if the cleats on the plates do not extend
more than 3/4 of an inch from the sole or heel of the shoe. Shoes with round
metal spikes are illegal. Shoes with detachable cleats that screw on are not
permitted however; shoes with detachable cleats that screw INTO the shoe
are permitted.
EXCEPTION: All Junior Olympic Fast and Slow Pitch, Co-ed Slow Pitch, and
Senior Slow Pitch Play: No metal spikes nor hard plastic or polyurethane
spikes similar to metal sole and heel plates are allowed.

Let's be careful what we post here:

ASA Rule 3, Section 6G: Junior Olympic Fast Pitch Boys and Girls 18U A/B, Gold and 16U A/B classifications of play may wear metal cleats.

http://www.masasoftball.org/umpire/2010_Playing_Rule_Changes_with_Comments.pdf

That being said: DD is a bigger girl and is a pitcher. She wears metal cleats since late spring (by Ringor) and loves them. She says that they give her better control and a better push off of the rubber. Metal cleats are definately more dangerous, for baserunners (catching a cleat and turning or breaking an ankle) and for defenders (getting gashed by a baserunner sliding). Another pitcher on DD's team got a big gash on her wrist covering home on a steal from third.