Poll for metal cleats

I kinda like the idea for the additional traction. Mine seems to slide around these cement like fields when fielding sometimes. But, my DD does not like the idea. She has been cleated in the face, on purpose, covering home and she's not a catcher. Not so good with metal cleats.

 

I think they need to go to metal. Yes it is different from Plastic but if a girl plays at the college level they will be using metal cleats. In the four years that my DD pitched for Anderson College I dont remember hearing of any more injurys then when she played HS Ball. Baseball has been using them forever and it dose not seem to be a safety concern. I would also like to see 43 ft pitching at HS. most 18u tournaments do it and the girls dont even blink about it We have gone from 40 to 43 and back from one week to the next in TB with no difference at all.
JMHO

 

Go Dawg

Good post agree on shoes and mound being 43 feet. NC is starting to get attention from the west, let's play like that area so our girls can take advantage of the scholarships that the western girls have been taking. UCLA and others are looking at some in state girls!

 

waayyyyyyyyyyyy...

too risky and dangerous for HS players! Only a marginal loss of traction with rubberized cleats! Most players are not taught nor shown how to use (not use) metal cleats as well! This would be a huge mistake to change. One major or significant injury is not worth the costs and it WILL happen (I know from experience)!

 

I see no advantage whatsoever with the metal cleats, as long as there is no other team or players wearing them/
however the subject of distance to the plate is another thing, would love to see the rubber moved back to 43' at the high school level, and maybe at the 16 and under in travel ball

 

What percentage of HS players go to college to play let alone get scholarships. Most are recruited out of 18U tournament ball anyway. Why not promote the use of metal cleats in that class of Softball.

The penalty of cleating a player is not severe enough to preclude it from happening. The catcher has plenty of equipment and constant training to respond, but pitchers are particularly vulnerable to cleating. My daughter isnt too keen on the idea of metal cleats. One good cleating in the ankles could end a pitchers career. I am not sure you would want your freshman pitcher taking metal from a 170 lb slider.

BTW, I do appreciate the arguments for allowing metal cleats.

 

Maybe we should use wood bats

I respectively disagree...

Metal cleats are standard issue at every major college program.
It would be nice if the incoming freshman knew had to run in them when they get here.


There is no data anywhere that would make anyone think that metal cleats will cause more injuries than molded or plastic. The National Federation of State High Federations (NFHS) would not approve this new rule if they felt there was a greater chance of injury. As seen below, from the Spy Softball article...

"This change in Rule 3-2-11 is one of three rules revisions approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee at its annual meeting June 10-12 in Indianapolis. The rules changes subsequently were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“Metal cleats provide better traction for athletes on nearly all surfaces, including hard, wet or under-maintained fields,” said Cindy Simmons, chair of the NFHS Softball Rules Committee and assistant executive director of the Oregon School Activities Association. “They also help prevent slippage on the bases, especially home plate.”

Metal cleats have a tremendous performance impact as opposed to the alternative. Do any of your high school teams play on "under-maintained fields".?

Composite bats make the ball come out quicker....should we go to wood?

Hope I don't make anyone mad...
Teach em to slide correctly and play the game properly.

 

I understand your points but to use the analogy of using wooden bats over composite is not a good one. There are actions taken all the time that are designed to improve the safety of the sport. Face masks on batting helmets for example.

Teaching players to slide properly doesnt stop an unscrupulous player from using the metal cleats as a weapon. If the penalty for such use was drastic enough to discourage it, then I can get behind the metal cleats.