Can You Wear Baseball Cleats for Lacrosse? The Key Differences

Can You Wear Baseball Cleats for Lacrosse?

This is a question that often pops up in the heads of multi-sport athletes who play both baseball and lacrosse. The sports have similar demands in terms of movement and footwork, so it would seem reasonable to be able to use the same cleats for both. However, there are some important differences between baseball and lacrosse cleats that need to be considered.

The Design Differences Between Baseball and Lacrosse Cleats

Baseball and lacrosse cleats are designed differently to meet the specific needs of each sport. Here's a quick rundown of the key differences:

• Weight - Baseball cleats are noticeably heavier than lacrosse cleats. Extra weight can slow a lacrosse player down.
• Traction - Baseball cleats have traction elements focused on the toes for quick starts and stops. Lacrosse cleats have traction across the whole sole for faster direction changes.
• Ankle support - Lacrosse cleats offer more ankle support and protection than low-cut baseball cleats.
• Toe protection - Lacrosse cleats have an extra protective toe bumper which baseball cleats lack.

So while baseball and lacrosse cleats may look somewhat similar, they are engineered to meet different performance requirements on the field.

The Effect of Baseball Cleats on Lacrosse Performance

Wearing baseball cleats for lacrosse can have some noticeable effects on performance:

• Reduced acceleration and speed - The heavier weight of baseball cleats can slowacceleration and maximum speed.
• Reduced traction - Baseball cleats lack the full sole traction needed for quick cuts and direction changes in lacrosse.
• Less ankle support - The low cut of baseball cleats offers less protection for the ankles compared to mid- or high-cut lacrosse cleats.
• Increased injury risk - Lack of a protective bumper and less ankle support can increase the risk of toe and ankle injuries.

While baseball cleats may be usable for lacrosse, they reduce critical athletic attributes like speed and traction that can affect performance.

The Effect of Lacrosse Cleats on Baseball Performance

Can the opposite swap work? Can lacrosse cleats be worn for baseball? There are also some performance drawbacks to consider:

• Less toe traction - Lacrosse cleats lack the pronounced toe traction needed for quick baseball moves.
• Heavier feel - The lacrosse cleats will feel noticeably heavier compared to lightweight baseball cleats.
• Altered feel - Higher ankle support can alter feel for baseball actions like sliding.
• Reduced ankle flexion - More rigid lacrosse cleats may reduce natural ankle flexion used in baseball.

While usable in a pinch, lacrosse cleats are not optimal for baseball play and can negatively impact comfort, feel and performance.

Key Factors to Consider

When deciding whether you can wear baseball cleats for lacrosse, there are a few important factors to consider:

Playing Level

The higher the level of play, the more optimized the footwear needs to be for each sport. Youth or casual players can probably get by switching cleats between sports. However, high school, college, and pro players will get maximum performance from sport-specific cleats.

Foot Type

Those with narrower feet may find that baseball cleats provide enough fit and support for lacrosse play. However, athletes with wider feet will likely benefit more from lacrosse cleats engineered for lateral support.

Field Conditions

The traction of baseball cleats may be sufficient for hard outdoor lacrosse surfaces. However, for softer, natural grass fields, lacrosse cleats provide superior traction and stability.

Position

Certain lacrosse positions like LSM or defensemen that require a lot of defensive sliding and agility are more impacted by reduced traction of baseball cleats. Goalies may also benefit from lacrosse cleats purpose-built for lateral mobility.

The Bottom Line

While it may seem fine in a pinch, using baseball cleats for lacrosse ultimately hinders optimal athletic performance. Players are better served by using properly fitted cleats designed specifically for each sport. There are good reasons baseball and lacrosse cleats have evolved different traits tailored to their respective sports. Performance, comfort and injury prevention will be compromised to some degree wearing non-ideal footwear. Whenever possible, have a proper fitting pair of lacrosse cleats ready for the field rather than compromising with baseball cleats. But in an emergency, baseball cleats can get you through a game or practice when absolutely needed.

FAQs

Can I wear metal baseball cleats for lacrosse?

No, metal spikes are not allowed in lacrosse. Only plastic or rubber cleats are permitted.

Are molded plastic baseball cleats ok for lacrosse?

Molded plastic baseball cleats will work in a pinch but don't provide the same traction as lacrosse cleats. Use them only if lacrosse cleats are unavailable.

Can youth players wear little league baseball cleats for lacrosse?

For recreational youth lacrosse, wearing little league baseball cleats is generally fine. But for more competitive play, get proper lacrosse cleats.

Do football cleats work for lacrosse instead of baseball cleats?

Football cleats are closer to lacrosse cleats in ankle support and traction than baseball cleats. But lacrosse-specific cleats are still recommended for optimal performance.

Should I get detachable or molded cleats for lacrosse?

Detachable cleats provide more traction and customization. Molded cleats are more affordable but lack interchangeability.