Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

[DrJones]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

How many players these days even chew tobacco? I have to think it's probably only around 10% that actually do that compared to the majority that used to chew back in the '70s and '80s.

25-30%, from what I've heard.

[wrigleyville33]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

Lol.. yeah, I used to always spit as much as humanly possible when I was playing baseball as a kid. I usually didn't have anything in my mouth either, I just thought I was supposed to spit more when I was on a baseball field.

Haha I did the same thing when I was younger.

[lilbiggio]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

Why would it not be acceptable?

hopefully common sense will intervene here. But for the same reasoning of why this topic is up for discussion, would apply for public alcohol consumption too. The media would have a field day if some ball player or manager was publically drinking in the dugout. If we're going to go the whole how it influences whom is watching... I wouldn't see why one product would be any better or worse than the other. So if one has been deemed unprofessional or unacceptable is chewing tobacco any different?

[Sportsforever]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

Slightly off topic, but this reminded me of when I was a kid I used to imitate Darryl Strawberry and his HUGE chew. I would buy a pack of tootsie rolls and put about 5-6 in my mouth, chew them into a nice big "chew" and stick them in the side of my mouth the entire game.

[Jr.]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

Unfortunately, I doubt it will ever happen. It's disappointing that such a harmful habit is considered "part of the culture" of baseball. My older brother started dipping in high school and threatened to kick my *** if I ever started, so I never personally got into it. But I remember about 75% of the guys I knew in high school dipped or chewed even though it was illegal, and that number was about the same when I played in college. It may be less of a part of the game than it used to be, but it's still very prevalent

I feel fortunate that I never started because I know how hard it is for many people to stop. My dad smokes like a chimney and nearly everyone I know that dipped or chewed in college still does now that they've been out of baseball for the last 4-5 years.

I'm coaching at the high school level now and saw 2 of my players chewing in the dugout of our game tonight. Needless to say I gave them a piece of my mind and told them they would be kicked off the team if I saw them doing it again (I don't have that kind of authority, but the players don't know that)

[shifty_b]

I think at lower levels it should be banned, but above high school it is a choice players should make. They are all aware of the health effects, and it seems less prevalent than previous years.

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

hopefully common sense will intervene here. But for the same reasoning of why this topic is up for discussion, would apply for public alcohol consumption too. The media would have a field day if some ball player or manager was publically drinking in the dugout. If we're going to go the whole how it influences whom is watching... I wouldn't see why one product would be any better or worse than the other. So if one has been deemed unprofessional or unacceptable is chewing tobacco any different?

Why do you keep bringing up alcohol? That's a terrible comparison IMO.

The MLB can ban it if they want as it's their league, but I am of the belief that a grown man can make this decision on their own. Banning it in high school and college, I support. But after that let's leave the nanny state mentality out of it.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

I think, as an employer, the MLB can ban tobacco. I am of the opinion that they should, but it is within their rights to do so.

I disagree with the nanny state idea that people bring up. Can you do whatever you like at your workplace regarding tobacco? In most places, tobacco is banned in the building (there may be a smoking area outside).

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

I think, as an employer, the MLB can ban tobacco. I am of the opinion that they should, but it is within their rights to do so.

I disagree with the nanny state idea that people bring up. Can you do whatever you like at your workplace regarding tobacco? In most places, tobacco is banned in the building (there may be a smoking area outside).

I chew at work. It's easy to hide.

[SPTO]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

25-30%, from what I've heard.

That's more than I thought...I do think banning chewing tobacco for the lower levels (High School/College) is the best way to handle it. Once you're in the big leagues you're old enough to make a decision about those kind of things. It's not like these guys are snorting cocaine in the dugout!

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

That's more than I thought...I do think banning chewing tobacco for the lower levels (High School/College) is the best way to handle it. Once you're in the big leagues you're old enough to make a decision about those kind of things. It's not like these guys are snorting cocaine in the dugout!

I know, right? I mean, it's not the 80's for crying out loud.

[NDAlum]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

I think, as an employer, the MLB can ban tobacco. I am of the opinion that they should, but it is within their rights to do so.

I disagree with the nanny state idea that people bring up. Can you do whatever you like at your workplace regarding tobacco? In most places, tobacco is banned in the building (there may be a smoking area outside).

It is a nanny state. Smoking and smokeless tobacco use aren't even a fair comparison.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

It is a nanny state.

I still disagree, but further discussion of this is probably going to lead down a track that leads this thread to get closed.

I agree with the ability to use tobacco products in general life. As long as you use them in a way that doesn't impact anyone but yourself, go for it.

But I feel like MLB has the ability to ban chewing tobacco just like any other business can institute any policy they would like, as long as it isn't against the law.

[DrJones]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

I chew at work. It's easy to hide.

"Hide" is the operative word here. If you were working in the public eye (say, retail or customer service), would you be allowed to chew while dealing with customers? Doubtful.

When I worked at EAC, I knew a couple guys who dipped at their desks. Kinda gross, but I didn't care. However, when dealing with others in meetings, or when gaming media or outside visitors (kids, etc.) were around, it was a big no-no.

[lilbiggio]

Re: Thoughts on the urge of a tabacoo ban

Why do you keep bringing up alcohol? That's a terrible comparison IMO.

The MLB can ban it if they want as it's their league, but I am of the belief that a grown man can make this decision on their own. Banning it in high school and college, I support. But after that let's leave the nanny state mentality out of it.

All I'll say is when someone gives me the reason why the MLB banned cigarettes and dip in the minors in the first place, then I'll take away my alcohol comparison. To me all of these substances play the same role and can have the same effects both personal and on whom is being influenced watching these guys.


Anyhoo.. If we're allowing smokeless tobacco simply because it's easier to "hide", then the mentality of banning anything is wrong in the first place. You just banned one product and allowed another but the one that still around is just as addictive as any other controlled substance? What are they trying to tell us? If anything banning cigarettes should have been as common sense as like any of the other big drugs (such as the one I keep bringing up) and then get to the matter at hand which is the dip because I too have seen many a teammate at the younger level get hooked on this, because it was part of the game.

But you see rather than do that and jsut get rid of it, MLB took a stand for a moment and then made a few compromises down the line. that's my beef... just don't even make the stand at all in my opinion. And certainly don't be hypocritical when a young player sneaks and do it because you won't even enforce it at the highest level..

Now whether they should ban it is up for discussion because I agree it doesn't take away from the game. I do find this topic interesting and hope to see where this goes with other opinions too because baseball is indeed in an unique situation. If anything it's gotten a lot better.