Chewing tobacco

[Ghostwriter]

Watching baseball on espn and I am always astounded at the amount of players that chew tobacco, what is with this?, they frequently spit which looks disgusting (btw I spit as well) but my point is what is the reason for chewing tobacco predominant in baseball and nowhere else.
It fascinates me yet disgusts me at the same time.

 

[Richo is God]

i thought they chew on sunflower seeds, could be both though

 

[ioppolo]

Always thought it was Gum, just like our cricketers haha.

Old American thing I guess isn't it? They all chewed Tobacco in the old west...

 

[Aussie Assault]

Got a Yank mate that chews it out here all the time. It's a feral habit in my opinion & the color of the spit is like black tar. He'll get a few tins of it sent across each fortnight.

He said that some guys in the US actually cut the little bit of webbing in between you lower lip & gum to fit more in.

 

[SFgiant]

Chewing tabacco is pretty rare in MLB these days. There was a call from the MLB higher ups not long ago to ban it. Flavoured sunflower seeds have now taken over nowadays. (main reason why baseball pants have 2 pockets in the back, one for batting gloves and one for seeds) Big League chew is pretty popular too. Its just normal gum but grated and in pouches. Only met one guy who is addicted to chewing tabacco. Was a coach a few years back. Feral old bloke who had a brown stained bottom lip because of it.

 

[Mancey]

I believe it's called chewin tabaccy

 

[Caesar]

Don't know about tobacco, but a mate of mine who played ball pretty seriously in high school said the reason that players chew gum was to keep their saliva levels up while standing out in the hot sun all afternoon. I guess that's the same reason cricketers do it.

 

[HahnPremium]

.....said the reason that players chew gum was to keep their saliva levels up while standing out in the hot sun all afternoon. I guess that's the same reason cricketers do it.

And also sailors. Though with the sail providing some shade, I am thinking that they keep their saliva levels up for something else.

 

[NarklesHelmet]

It is also very addictive of course as well... Here in Sweden they chewing tobacco is very popular although most people enjoy the tobacco that comes in neat little pouches so that the tobacco doesn't run when it is put in your mouth. It is called "snus" and is hugely popular here. Even some of my international friends are addicted to it.

It is much healthier than smoking so is a good alternative if you are trying to give smoking up as it still gives you the nicotine hit you crave.