Football cleats vs Baseball cleats

Football players, as well as baseball players, wear cleats so that they can get a firmer grip on the playing surface. Both football and baseball cleats have the same function – to help the player stay firm on the ground while enabling him to move fast, and avoid easily tripping or slipping. However, even if their basic function is the same, football cleats differ from baseball cleats in many ways. Although the differences have been narrowed by the introduction of artificial turf, they do still exist in many ways.

Basically, football cleats refer to sports shoes that have molded bottoms with large knobs screwed in to provide traction. The knobs are adjustable to fit with the conditions of the field.
As for baseball cleats, they usually have steel bars measuring about 3 quarters of an inch wide and half an inch deep, and they are permanently fixed into the bottom of the shoe.

Football cleats are heavier, and tend to be more supportive owing to the heavier physical toll on the athletes brought on by the nature of game and equipment. They also go as high up as the ankle, although various styles will suit the different individual preferences. On the other hand, baseball cleats are much lighter, and do not go up to the ankle.

Metal spikes can be used by baseball players instead of plastic or rubber, but not for football cleats; although both can use shoes with plastic studs. This is due to the varying nature of baseball pitches, with some much harder to run on than others.

Whereas studs on baseball cleats tend to have just about the same length, football cleats offer a variety of lengths, mainly due to the difference of positions and to be able to deal with the differing surfaces of play.
In baseball, faster players often prefer lighter cleats, while power hitters and pitchers often choose more supportive cleats. In football, it is the linemen who opt for more supportive cleats, with ankle support, while running backs as well as wide receivers go for cleats that will allow for a better range of movement.

For baseball games on artificial turf, usually only pitchers and catchers will use spikes. For players of football as well as baseball players on artificial turf, they will often use rubber-soled shoes with many smaller knobs on them.

Summary:
Football cleats are heavier and more supportive, whereas baseball cleats are lighter.
Baseball cleats can use metal spikes, while those are not used for football cleats.
Studs on baseball cleats tend to have the same length, while for football cleats, the length varies.

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