Big League Chew
The “Baseball Gods” are conspiring to try to put an end to the use of smokeless tobacco — including chewing tobacco and dip — during Major League games by players and coaches.
The "Baseball Gods" are conspiring.
No, I'm not talking about the Phillies' failure to make it beyond the league division series this year. And I'm not referring to the painful (next) season-delaying injury to slugger Ryan Howard.
Instead, I'm talking about the baseball commissioner, several owners, politicians, and public health leaders coming together to try to put an end to the use of smokeless tobacco — including chewing tobacco and dip — during Major League Baseball games by players and coaches. Minor League Baseball banned the practice in 1993. MLB has been slow to follow.
From a public health perspective, the proposed ban makes a lot of sense. But this is a tough "ask." We are not asking the players and coaches to stop chewing and spitting because it is bad for them; the ban doesn't call for players to stop chewing on their own time. We're asking because it's bad for the population that emulates ball players - especially the kids watching at home and in the ballpark.
And this is where public health efforts can be difficult. Supporters of the ban are asking ball players to give something up, to sacrifice a "tradition" of the game for the well-being of their fans. This is certainly less complicated than the steroid scandal, which is not only about player and fan health, but also about the integrity of the game itself.
Read more about The Public's Health.