Chewing in Baseball

[Burning Man]

I have never been a big fan of chewing tobacco. Ever since the first day I tried it and felt sick as a dog for the whole day I dislike the dip. Having said this, I have no issue with others enjoying what they enjoy in their free time. Most everyone that I know that chews are mindful of where they spit so I have never taken issue with it or consider it a "nasty" habit. ESPN has been doing stories the last few days about the dangers of chewing and the effect it's had on some of the game's greats like Tony Gwynn and Joe Garagiola. Some former players are calling for MLB to ban players from using smokeless tobacco completely from the game citing the dangerous effects of using.
I remember as a kid when they first began educating players about this. Half the guys you saw out there were chewing. I vividly remember Lenny Dykstra's massive wad of chew spilling from the corner of his mouth, the bullpen guys sitting around with various empty tins scattered about, and everyone from the manager to the groundskeeper was dipping. Nowadays it is still a part of the culture. Some players still enjoy having some chew when they play.
I want to see what you brothers think about this. Can MLB just ban smokeless tobacco? Do they have the authority just as most employers have the right to change their policies about conduct at work or will this be something decided by collective bargaining if it is proposed?
Your thoughts bros?

 

[Cigary43]

They can make just about any rule they want to. The impetus obviously is what has happened over the years with players who have developed cancers as a direct/indirect use of tobacco products. My thoughts are split because I would not wish any health concerns on anyone but if that person wants to engage in something that is of no consequence to others then why legislate tobacco when there are far more worse items that are worse on our health as a society? If they were really that worried about peoples health concerns then why aren't they as rabid about companies that spew more cancer causing items into the air? Why aren't they legislating Pharmaceutical Companies from putting so many pills on the market that obviously are dangerous..are killing people...make others dependant on them...and they send tons of money to Congressmen and Senators to lobby them for their special interests? Hypocritical at its core...should I even mention alcohol...more deaths attributed to that and more hospital costs associated with liver disease...alcoholism...etc. etc.

 

[Pietastervw]

I can see them banning it while playing, it is after all their "workplace" but not sure about the banning it all together unless this is something that is part of the contract they sign. I mean it could be looked at as an owner protecting his investment long term, but again only if that is in the contract that is signed by the player.

 

[hdroadglide]

oh please, let the government do some hearings and pass legislation to straighten out our kid's role models. that's what really needs to happen. far be it from parents actually sitting down with their kids and telling them what they should and shouldn't do. it's more important to be your kids "pal" than be a parent. let someone else do the dirty work..........

 

[GoingPostal]

Actually Ken Blackstone said on the ESPN Morning show, (cant remeber the name) that MLB has actually already banned it in the minor leagues and for the majors if you were already dipping you were grandfathered in. I don't like regulation but the MLB is a private company that can make its own rules. They don't say you cant dip, players just cant dip while on the job and they have the right to do that. Just don't tell me it's to protect the kids cause they immitate everthing on TV. If this was true kids would be spitting out sunflower seeds all day long. And don't you dare take away my big league chew chewing gum. My question is does the ban also include public apperances?

 

[JNT]

surprised this hasnt already happened. If you asked me before this thread, I would guess it's banned.

 

[Bsneed51]

How about they get steroids, HGH, etc. out of the sport before they worry about tobacco.

 

[dpricenator]

How about they get steroids, HGH, etc. out of the sport before they worry about tobacco.

HGH makes for big hitters, which in turn make for more TV viewers. The general public is Anti Tobacco, so seeing some dude spit on TV will in turn create less viewers. All About advertising dollars.

 

[Cigary43]

oh please, let the government do some hearings and pass legislation to straighten out our kid's role models. that's what really needs to happen. far be it from parents actually sitting down with their kids and telling them what they should and shouldn't do. it's more important to be your kids "pal" than be a parent. let someone else do the dirty work..........

Yep

How about they get steroids, HGH, etc. out of the sport before they worry about tobacco.

Yep

HGH makes for big hitters, which in turn make for more TV viewers. The general public is Anti Tobacco, so seeing some dude spit on TV will in turn create less viewers. All About advertising dollars.

And big time Yep!

 

[cmhicksusmc]

no comment! Dont get me fired up this early in the morning:argh:

 

[Burning Man]

How about they get steroids, HGH, etc. out of the sport before they worry about tobacco.

I think they are doing a decent job taking away the needle. It's becoming a pitcher dominated game again. Pitching is more about flexibility which you don't lose as a result of not having your juice in the morning. It's starting to look like baseball again instead of a gathering of people just waiting for someone to hit one over the fence.