Baseball players are notorious for having something in their mouth before, during, or even after the game. If you’re fortunate enough to get seats close to the field, you’ll be able to see baseball players, as well as coaches, chewing and spitting every couple of seconds.
Baseball players and coaches often chew gum, sunflower seeds, or tobacco while playing baseball.
In this article, we’re going to go into detail about what players and coaches are chewing and what type of product they are chewing.
What Do Baseball Players Chew & Put In Their Mouth?
Players and coaches will often chew or put something in their mouths to keep them busy and occupied. Baseball is an extremely slow-moving game. Players may not see a ground or fly ball hit their way the entire game.
A good pitcher may never give up a hit, which leaves the players in the infield and outfield bored with not much to do. For this reason, chewing tobacco, gum, or sunflower seeds will often keep these players occupied.
Chewing Tobacco
The first and most popular option is chewing tobacco. Before we start talking about Chewing Tobacco, we want to make clear that chewing tobacco is highly addictive and could potentially cause cancer. Children under 18 should not use chewing tobacco as it could cause harm. We recommend other items on our list for children under 18.
Chewing tobacco is tobacco that is often stuffed into the cheek of a baseball player. People who often chew tobacco will be able to for a long period of time for no effect. MLB players who do it 162 games of the year often will chew on the tobacco because it’s a habit for them.
On the flip side, players who chew tobacco for the first time will catch a buzz or will often become sick. For this reason, players who don’t do it frequently or aren’t addicted to nicotine will often skip to our next available options.
Gum
Good old-fashioned gum! Players will often carry big league chew or other types of gum in their back pocket and chew on it during the course of the game. This is a safer alternative to chewing tobacco and allows players to swap out flavorful pieces every inning.
Players who often play action-less positions, such as the outfield, will often throw in pieces of gum to keep themselves entertained. Often you can see outfielders blowing bubbles as they wait for a ball to be hit their way. Chewing gum also helps work out your mouth muscles.
Big League chew is often the gum of choice because of its marketing advertising and its ability to be chewed in strands. Players can take as little or as much as they want. Typically, gum comes in sticks or small Chiclets. Big League Chew offers a different kind of gum experience for the baseball player.
Sunflower Seeds
Sunflower seeds are a baseball staple. Sunflower seeds can be seen being chewed and spit in baseball fields nationwide. Traditional sunflowers have found their way into millions of baseball players worldwide, and we now have flavored sunflower seeds!
BBQ, ranch, and hot sauce are all flavors that are being sold to baseball players of all ages. Players are less likely to chew and swallow sunflower seeds, as the point is to crack the shell and eat the seed.
Players who eat sunflower seeds are more likely to have a small batch of seeds in their mouths if they need to start sprinting when the ball is hit. The best tactic to eat sunflower seeds in small batches is to keep them in your back pocket and eat them in between batters. This often keeps players occupied, especially if a good pitcher is on the mound.
Fake Tobacco
One of the newest innovations in the tobacco world is fake tobacco. Fake tobacco is oftentimes a 1/4 of the price and fulfills the “having tobacco” feeling that players are looking for.
Oftentimes, players who are trying to ween off of tobacco will learn towards fake tobacco, which still has the same texture and structure as real tobacco, just no nicotine.
As mentioned, this type of tobacco can be bought at your local Walmart or, oftentimes, a convenience store and will cost 1/4 of the price. It’s a great alternative for players who are trying to quit the habit of chewing tobacco.
Grinds
Players are also turned on to Grinds, one of the new players in the fake tobacco game. Grinds are flavored coffee grinds that come in the shape of a packed tobacco can.
Baseball players can easily grab Grinds, put it in their lips, and play with no issue. After use, players can either repack it back into the plastic case or simply throw it away.
Grinds have been able to help players slowly decrease their tobacco use, as well as keep players occupied and focused in the outfield.
Why Do Baseball Players Spit So Much?
Baseball players often chew on tobacco, sunflower seeds, or gum, which can make your mouth extremely moist from saliva. Players often spit repetitively, trying to relieve their wet mouth or do it strictly out of habit.
Especially when using a real or fake tobacco product, the glands in the mouth are activated, and the player’s mouth will require a spit discharge.
Players will also develop spitting habits if they eat seeds or have too much built-up spit from the gum. Baseball players often have a bad habit of spitting and can be seen spitting multiple times in the fields and dugouts.
Conclusion
Players should try to avoid tobacco products at all costs when playing baseball. We’ve provided alternate products to chew and spit during a baseball game.
These products will help keep your mouth healthier than chewing tobacco! What do you put in your mouth and chew during a baseball game? Let us know in the comment section below.