Choosing the Right Baseball Cleats For Your Child

Cleats give young players grip for running the bases and fielding, but leagues have rules about which kinds are allowed. Here is what to know before buying a pair.

Molded vs. metal vs. turf shoes

• Molded cleats have rubber or plastic studs built into the sole. Almost every youth league allows them, they’re usually the cheapest option, and they work on grass and dirt.
• Metal cleats have thin metal spikes for maximum grip. Little League does not allow metal spikes in its younger divisions, and many youth leagues ban them. They are generally allowed only at older levels such as high school (rules vary by state and league).
• Turf shoes have small rubber nubs. They’re good for practice, batting cages and artificial turf, and easy on young feet.
• Interchangeable cleats let you swap stud types, which can be useful for an older player moving between levels.

Always check your league’s rulebook or ask the coach before buying metal cleats.

Fit and sizing

• Shop late in the day, when feet are largest, and wear baseball socks when trying them on.
• Leave roughly a thumb’s width at the toe. Don’t buy several sizes up “to grow into”; loose cleats cause blisters and trips.
• The heel should not slip when the player jogs.
• Mid-cut cleats add some ankle support; low-cuts are lighter. Comfort matters more than style at young ages.

Care tips

Knock off dirt after games, let cleats air dry away from direct heat, and don’t wear them on concrete, which wears down studs fast. Replace them when studs are worn smooth or the shoe no longer fits.

Source: Little League playing rules; check your own league’s equipment rules.

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