You ever watch them baseball fellas on TV, huh? They always got somethin’ in their mouths, chewin’ and spittin’ all game long. Got folks wonderin’ all the time—what in the world are these baseball players chewin’ on? Well, lemme tell ya, it ain’t just tobacco like folks used to think. There’s a whole lot more to it these days.
Now, I know back in the day, tobacco was the thing. Yup, baseball players used to chew tobacco like it was goin’ outta style. That habit got stuck in folks’ minds, but these days, times are changin’, and tobacco ain’t all the rage no more. They still got some old-timers chewin’ it here and there, but mostly it’s all kinda shifted to somethin’ else. Here, I’ll break it down for ya.
Sunflower Seeds: A Player’s Best Friend
Most baseball players now? They’re chomp-chompin’ on sunflower seeds. Yup, just plain ol’ seeds. They got pockets full of ‘em, and they’ll be spittin’ shells all game long. Why, you ask? Well, think about it. Baseball games are slow, ya see. They’re sittin’ in that dugout, waitin’ for their turn, and they need somethin’ to keep ‘em busy. Chewin’ seeds gives ’em somethin’ to do while they’re watchin’ the game unfold.
Now, these seeds also help in another way. Picture it—players out there runnin’ around in the dirt and dust, right? That dust gets everywhere—nose, eyes, mouth, you name it. So, they chew seeds and spit out the shells, keeps their mouth busy and sorta clears it out, you know? Keeps ‘em from tastin’ dirt all day!
The Ritual of Chewin’ Gum
Then, of course, there’s gum. Chewin’ gum’s another big one. Baseball players got all sorts of flavors too, fruity ones, minty ones—you name it. Gum does somethin’ similar to the seeds, keeps their mouth movin’ and keeps their nerves steady. Plus, gum don’t leave no mess, so some of ’em prefer it. They pop in a new piece when they need it, and it keeps ‘em focused and calm, especially when they’re about to bat or pitch.
Not to mention, it keeps ‘em from gettin’ too thirsty, which helps in long games when they might not be able to grab a sip of water every second.
Dip and Smokeless Tobacco
Now, we still got some of them players who chew dip, ya know, that smokeless tobacco. It’s kinda like a leftover habit from the old days. Back in the day, tobacco was just as much a part of baseball as bats and balls. Players would be chewin’ it, spittin’ it, thinkin’ it made ’em look tough or cool. But, times have changed, and folks know tobacco ain’t good for health. Some players still keep that tradition, but the younger ones? Nah, they’re mostly stickin’ to seeds and gum these days.
Why So Much Chewin’ and Spittin’?
Now you might be wonderin’ why all this chewin’ and spittin’ is even a thing in baseball. Well, it’s a mix of tradition, nerves, and just plain ol’ habit. Baseball’s a slow game, and players got plenty of time to get jittery. So, all that chewin’ keeps their nerves calm, keeps ‘em occupied. It’s like when we old folks knit or fiddle with somethin’—gives the hands and mouth somethin’ to do while we’re waitin’.
Then, ya got the tradition side of it. Chewin’ on somethin’ just sorta became a baseball thing over the years. Passed down, ya see? Just like grandma passin’ down her favorite pie recipe. Now, them seeds, gum, and even a little bit of tobacco, it’s just part of what makes baseball, well, baseball.
What’s in the Future?
These days, though, with all the health talks and such, folks are leanin’ more toward the safer stuff like gum and seeds. Who knows, maybe in a few years we’ll see ‘em switchin’ to somethin’ else altogether, somethin’ healthier still. But one thing’s for sure, whatever it is, them baseball players will always find somethin’ to chew on while they’re out on that field. It’s just part of the game.
So next time you’re watchin’ a game, just remember, when you see ‘em spittin’ seeds or blowin’ bubbles, it ain’t just for fun. It’s tradition, it’s nerves, it’s part of what keeps ’em goin’ out there on that dusty field.
Tags：[baseball, chewing habits, sunflower seeds, gum, dip, baseball traditions]
