Incoming Freshman - Metal Cleats for the first time?

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Hey gang,

My daughter will be a freshman next year in SE Indiana. My question is, should she go to metal cleats as they seem to be advantagious? She and I have talked about it and she seems to be ok, unless it is not a big help for traction.

My concern (I have not shared with her) are some of the posts I've read on ankle/leg injuries during sliding or awkward movements. Are they so different that she should practice for some period of time in them prior to going live in a game/regular practice?

Experience or thoughts on the topic? (Sorry if this is an old topic, I don't remeber seeing something specific to a 15 yo switchin from plastic - metal).

Joe

 

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Yeah! there's an old post running around here somewhere on this topic but I'm to lazy today to look it up.;&

Put her in Metal she will love you for it! My DD loves her Ringers, She took to them like a Duck to water. I understand your concerns with injuries, But Hey! She ain't gettin an younger might as well jump in with both feet. Good-Luck!



FASTPITCH! Anything else, And you're playing to SLOW!

 

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They are different, that is for sure, but different in a good way. It won't take very long for her to get used to them. They just give you MUCH better traction.

 

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Yeah! there's an old post running around here somewhere on this topic but I'm to lazy today to look it up.;&

Put her in Metal she will love you for it! My DD loves her Ringers, She took to them like a Duck to water. I understand your concerns with injuries, But Hey! She ain't gettin an younger might as well jump in with both feet. Good-Luck!



FASTPITCH! Anything else, And you're playing to SLOW!

Me and you both, that's why I'm asking!! HAHA!!

 

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Last year my daughter got metal and loved them in practice. First game she hit a double. As she was going into 2nd coach was yelling you're up, you're up. Then play appeared it was going to be close and at last second he yelled slide, slide. She was too close to bag and went down in an akward position and hooked her cleat and twisted her ankle. Now I can not even get her to wear them in practice. I keep trying to convince her that it was more a result of the split second decision and her akward position but for now she wants nothing to do with metal cleats, and she is now an incoming freshman.

 

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DD is wearing them for the first time this summer. Put them on for the first time before a game and has had zero problems.

 

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Unless your dd has two left feet and is not athletic, definitely put her in metal spikes. There is a reason professionals and college ball players wear them as opposed to plastic cleats. They provide much better traction than a plastic cleat. I wish ASA, USSSA, etc. allowed metal cleats at 14u.

Len

 

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Go with the metal. They did deeper, hold the body steadier, and grabs the ground for a quicker takeoff.

Now the bad side of metal. The drier the ground the more chance of the cleat "catching" and the resulting ankle injury (in the outfield grass especially). I know that some will argue that but it is something that I have experienced in the past. A good rule of the thumb.. keep both in the bad for different field conditions. Many professionals do the same.

If you are EVER playing on a field with "tie down" bases... go with the rubber cleats. Metal cleats will catch the bag and your body will drive the ankle under the bag. (This cost me a whole summer in the past)

 

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Metal is better.......my DD's only complaint was they hurt her feet. Bought some insoles for cushioning and that took care of the problem.

 

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There are a number of people who will tell you that metal cleats lead to injuries. Not true.

Go to Google, or Bing, or Dogpile, and search for "metal Vs. molded cleats". There was an excellent article by some major mid-western college that proved that there is no merit to the argument. (Just because someone "hooked a cleat" while wearing metal doesn't mean they wouldn't have done it in molded.)

If you're ambitious, unlike the rest of us, look up the old OFC thread. I think I even referenced the article there.

 

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Lenski, she is not a ballerina, or a speed racer, more of a big solid medium speed. She has perfected her sliding this year...thanks for the comments.

Johnnies, what do you mean by "hooked her ankle under a tie down bag"?

 

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Cant beat them for SPEED.. But Injury on a slide is of an increased risk. They Grab and dont let go at times. Add to that SS`s Any infielders covering bags from that matter are at increased risk to be spiked. I know back in the day I spiked a few people (Mostly by accident LOL)

 

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Dont be afraid - for every blamed possible metal cleat getting caught there are 10 injuries where the rubber slipped and tweaked a knee or ankle. If you have ever played outfield on a hard ground, short grass field on a hot humid late evening the grass feels like someone put soap on it with rubber cleats. Sliding feet may be good for tennis but not on a softball field. Leave the sliding to you belly or backside!

 

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I have seen far more injuries from players slipping and falling in plastic than I have from anything caused by metal. The only thing I would say with metal is to make sure you get your lead foot up when sliding. Don't treat a metal cleat as a brake. Same for plastic, for that matter.

We pretty much require our college players to wear metal. We have one girl who prefers plastic, which I think is mainly from fear. She also has fear in the infield, but she happens to hit the heck out of the ball.

 

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Hey gang,

My daughter will be a freshman next year in SE Indiana. My question is, should she go to metal cleats as they seem to be advantagious? She and I have talked about it and she seems to be ok, unless it is not a big help for traction.

My concern (I have not shared with her) are some of the posts I've read on ankle/leg injuries during sliding or awkward movements. Are they so different that she should practice for some period of time in them prior to going live in a game/regular practice?

Experience or thoughts on the topic? (Sorry if this is an old topic, I don't remeber seeing something specific to a 15 yo switchin from plastic - metal).

Joe

I played Division I collegiate ball and we were all required to wear metal cleats. Odd at first but I prefer them now. Ankles can be taped before every game by trainers if needed.