Beginning in 2008, MSHSAA member school softball players will be permitted to wear metal cleats and toe plates. This change in Softball Rule 3-2-11 was approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee at their annual meeting in Indianapolis.

“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, expecially home plate.”

Just because metal cleats and toe plates are permitted does not mean that all players must wear metal cleats. Each individual MSHSAA member school would be able to decide whether to permit their players to wear metal cleats and/or metal toe plates as a team or allow individual players to make their own personal decisions.

The MSHSAA Softball Advisory Committee has recommended that a point of emphasis be presented at the 2008 MSHSAA softball rules meetings regarding this rule change that stresses the teaching of proper sliding techniques by coaches and warning players of the potential added danger.