Steel Cleats

[softball93]

The VHSL has authorised the wearing of steel cleats for the 2008 season. What are your thoughts. I have an idea. How about having a 3rd ump at the games to be the "official" score keeper and report to the daily press the results of the games. That removes the parent from the "book" and also the students who really have no clue how to keep a book. Your thoughts.

[softball911]

Steal cleats in high school. Much to dangerous. I think we will see a lot of injuries.
Especially on the base paths. Taking a risk but I really don`t see a lot of girls wearing them anyways.

[cruz21]

Steel Cleats for girls softball in high school is ridiculous and puts the girls in danger!!! Whats the reason they (VHSL) authorized this anyway? They always talk about safety for the children and this authorization just makes them contradict themselves.

[softball93]

I am not sure what the rationale was. I do know that college players wear steel cleats. Boys have wore steel cleets since I can remember. I really do not see what the difference is. Girls will have to be taught to slide in these cleets and I am sure there will be some injuries. But like softball911 said most girls will stay with what they wear now. Females are just as superstitious as males.

[Hawkeye06]

lets not baby the girls please. Guys have been doing it forever.. only difference is that now when teams decide to play dirty it will hurt a bit more.

i think the idea behind the steal spikes is that it makes for better traction and speed.

[MikeB]

I did a little research and it appears the decision was made to minimize the injuries that have been occurring in low traction situations. The rationale is that girls playing in wet or muddy conditions would suffer fewer injuries with the better traction. Of course, infielders who block their base or put their foot on top of the base are going to get slid into or stepped on regardless. When I played ball, I considered this part of the learning experience. And usually my foot was in the wrong place and the opposing player was taking the opportunity to teach me the error of my ways. I don't necessarily think it needs to be any different for the girls. And I guarantee every girl who wears metal spikes will spike herself at least once getting used to them.

Now with all that said, I think the idea is good and deserves fair consideration. I know metal spikes will give a competitive advantage to certain types of players, especially outfielders, slappers and base stealers. Not to mention the confidence boost it might give some players. On the other hand, I suspect many parents (and coaches) will have strong opinions against them and will not treat kindly any player who gets too aggressive with spikes. My daughter's high school coach is pretty much opposed to the idea and her travel ball coach is on the fence. The travel coach would feel better if there were a mandate for dual bags at first base. Both coaches would feel better if the girls would remember to stay out of the way of baserunners sliding into bases. It doesn't matter what type of spikes the runner wears, it hurts either way!

Finally, my daughter and I did a little shopping for metal spikes and we found a pair of Mizuno's that have a relatively short spike and are lighter than the Ringor's she wore last year. We consider them "training spikes" and we hope they'll be accepted in the PD. The previous posters were correct. College players wear them, so why shouldn't the HS players start wearing them in order to get better prepared for the next level?

[cruz21]

After I have done some research I would like to say this can be a good-bad situation for the kids, but best of all its a learning experience or the kids.The pain comes with the game,so they might as well get the girls prepared for college instead be unprepared and get really hurt at the next level.

[listentome]

there will be tons of injuries.
the girls will have no idea how to play with them. lot of them play dirty already. there will be some broken ankles this year while sliding

[softball911]

Is anyone wearing spikes? I haven`t seen any girls with them yet?I`m not sure you if their going to make that big of a difference. Anyone care to share your thoughts if you are wearing them?

[MikeB]

Is anyone wearing spikes? I haven`t seen any girls with them yet?I`m not sure you if their going to make that big of a difference. Anyone care to share your thoughts if you are wearing them?

I'm finding the spikes are very hard to spot out there myself, perhaps because the Mizuno spikes are so short. But whether you noticed or not, five of the Gloucester girls were wearing them yesterday against KHS. Specifically, all three outfielders, the shortstop and the third baseman!

I've spoken to some of the girls about the spikes and three have told me they like them. The left fielder said they were uncomfortable in the beginning, but likes them a lot now, the center fielder says she loves them, but admitted she spiked herself the first time she wore them. The left and center fielders are both fast enough without spikes (especially the left fielder!), but the center fielder thinks she is faster with spikes than without them. If that's the case, then they are serving their purpose for her!

And as a final note, the girl who scored the winning run yesterday was wearing spikes...

[softball911]

Thanks for the information. I could not tell if they had spikes or not.Hope everyone stays safe.Gloucester has always had speed. I don`t think the girl that scored the winning run had anything to do with her spikes.Anyhow. Just to keep this forum going and nothing intended. Hope the GHS outfielders have their running shoes on in the outfield next Friday against Warwick.
Everyone have a Happy Easter and I will be back in town for that big GHS vs WaHS game.