Softball cleats have thicker soles to provide better support and traction during the explosive movements required in stealing bases and chasing hit balls.
The types of cleats that are available now have changed immensely over the course of the past several decades.
These changes have all been for the better, as athletes can now trust that the cleats they put on each practice and game will help protect them from injury, and be durable enough to last throughout at least the entire season.