U.S. Senators urge baseball to ban chewing tobacco in MLB

[Illuminatu]

News from The Associated Press

When I first saw that article I laughed, then realised there trying to put a ban on yet another smokeless tobacco solution. I can agree with the kids watching TV wanting to do like there "heroes" or "idols" but I'm thinking this is not a step in the right direction.

If any of you guys wanna chime in and give your opinions, I'm all ears

 

[uba egar320]

I really don't see how it will hurt. Just during games, and on camera isn't that big of a deal imo. As much as they may not like it, kids do watch and idolize these guys. They can go without for a couple of hours lol.

 

[Uncle Willie]

Chewing has been part of baseball history for a long, long time .. I don't personally think kids pick up the habit because they see players do it .. I suppose the Politically correct thing to do these days is to ban it .. or make them use SNUS ..

McGuires steroid use and lying about it seems to me to be a much worse example .. and he's pitching coach in St Louis now ..

Go Cards ..

 

[uba egar320]

I just think for the money those guys get paid, if they are asked to not project tobacco use for a couple of hours throughout the day-then they should. When they are on their own time, then chew away lol.

@Uncle Willy, I have to disagree with kids not picking up on it through their favorite players. I remember as a kid ALL of the kids on my team spitting, and quite a few of them even using that gum that came in chewing tobacco style pouches. I think it rubs off more than we may think.

 

[Uncle Willie]

I just think for the money those guys get paid, if they are asked to not project tobacco use for a couple of hours throughout the day-then they should. When they are on their own time, then chew away lol.

@Uncle Willy, I have to disagree with kids not picking up on it through their favorite players. I remember as a kid ALL of the kids on my team spitting, and quite a few of them even using that gum that came in chewing tobacco style pouches. I think it rubs off more than we may think.

I'm 65 and played league baseball as a kid and in High School as well .. I do remember some chewing .. but in my era, it did not seem any more so than those that would have done it anyway .. much more smoking back then ..

But, I do agree with you .. it's a nasty habit .. it just seems to me there are worse things that pro players emulate .. just me, I suppose ..

 

[Concat]

I don't understand how they can force people to be ideal role models. Next they are going to make it illegal for celebrities to get drunk.

 

[Swigger14]

I don't mind this. I don't support the prohibitionist aspect, but the bottom line is these guys are entertainers. I don't like that senators are trying to force it, though. If MLB wants to do it, I wouldn't mind. Just my $.02.

 

[Switched]

News from The Associated Press

When I first saw that article I laughed, then realised there trying to put a ban on yet another smokeless tobacco solution. I can agree with the kids watching TV wanting to do like there "heroes" or "idols" but I'm thinking this is not a step in the right direction.
give your opinions, I'm all ears

... dang there goes the spitballs.

 

[Switched]

I don't understand how they can force people to be ideal role models. Next they are going to make it illegal for celebrities to get drunk.

... that wouldn't be a bad idea. OTOH it would create a lot of jobless folks at the tabloids

 

[Switched]

Ban that and here comes the nose candy Or is it Stawberry candy, I forget...

 

[Uncle Willie]

I don't understand how they can force people to be ideal role models. Next they are going to make it illegal for celebrities to get drunk.

I guess I can see both sides .. forced morality seems wrong in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave .. at the same time, if in fact kids copy celebs of any sort, then maybe there should be some standard .. IMO, it's the parents responsibility to teach right / wrong / do / don't .. but then again, many don't seem to want to go thru the effort .. so blame it on the celebs when your kid picks up a bad habit of any sort ..

 

[Concat]

Yeah, I mean to me it's like blaming Marilyn Manson for the Columbine Shooting. Or rather, enacting laws against explicit lyrics for the sole reason of pandering to the nanny state mentality. Or banning violent movies just because children might watch them.

I mean, of course I don't want kids chewing tobacco... but I don't think this law addresses the issue at all.

 

[mostlyclassics]

If the politicos want to clean up professional athletics to make better role models, I'd think the place to start would be with NBA and NFL players. I won't even watch professional basketball or football games because such a high proportion of both organizations' players get arrested for violent crimes. And a high proportion of them are "baby daddies."

Such people are lousy role models, to my antiquated way of thinking.

Going to the closet now to fetch my Nomex fireproof suit . . .

 

[Illuminatu]

Such people are lousy role models, to my antiquated way of thinking.

Call me oldschool or antiquated, but I fully agree with that , our Celebs are bad role models for many reasons! but mostly too much money too young , and they never learned the real hard life! (most of them anyways)

 

[Uncle Willie]

Such people are lousy role models, to my antiquated way of thinking.

I'm a member of the "Antiquated" club as well .. and it's the parents job to teach the kids ..

 

[rachelcoffe]

OK I read the article. I don't see anyone calling for any kind of law. They're simply asking for professional baseballers - who are watched & idolized by a lot of young, impressionable kids - to consider cutting out chewing tobacco during games. I don't see anything wrong or objectionable about this thoughtful request. This isn't a question of law - it's a question of the League & their players being responsible & considerate of their influence on youth.

As with smoking...chewing tobacco's harmful effects are significant & very well-known. It causes cancer, period. It's deadly! Only an idiot would use it. Someone introduce these guys to vaping already, which is no more harmful than common caffeine consumption!

That said...in my opinion, there's a simple fix for this. The League or whatever it is should just pass a new rule saying: "hey guys, in your private time you can chew whatever you like...but not during a game. We don't let you smoke on the mound either...or slug away on whiskey, do we? Besides, come on - you're on the field for 3 hours or less. Look, you want something to chew on the field or in the dugout? Here's some Big League Chew shredded bubblegum, it's delicious. There's even a sugar free kind."

 

[Concat]

LOL @ "Man Size Wads"

 

[Illuminatu]

LOL @ "Man Size Wads"

That's what she said eh !

 

[zer0ith]

I was wondering when someone would bring up the gum