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| Photo courtesy of centerfordentalimplants.info |
Tuesday May 7th, 2013
On Saturday April 27th, home plate umpire Brain O'Nora had to leave the Phillies-Mets game in the bottom of the 1st inning after it was reported that he had swallowed his chew (chewing tobacco). It was later announced by MLB that it was in fact, an intestinal tear that caused his departure. It's easy to think MLB is just covering up the story because they don't want any tobacco related press associated with their game. However, I'm sure Mr. O'Nora is a seasoned dipper and could handle swallowing a little dip, so my money is on the MLB story.
I'll admit that I chewed tobacco and dipped during my teenage years and well into my 20's during ball games . And, to this day, if someone offered me a pinch between innings I would most likely accept. But, I am no longer an impressionable youngster with the ignorance to ask his father why Chase Utley's spat is brown.
We all know that tobacco is an unhealthy product that has ruined lives and costs huge amounts of money annually in health care. But men will be men and ball players will be ball players and I don't see any reason to remove the century old habit from the game entirely.
Regardless of opinion, this did peak my interest into the rules of smokeless tobacco within the game of baseball. Not just in the majors, but in all of baseball North American wide. So here is a little rundown of the rules regarding tobacco in baseball.
- In 1994 the NCAA approved a ban of all tobacco products during practice or competition in any collegiate sport. However, it was a very unenforced rule until 2002 when the Baseball Rules Committee adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards tobacco
- In 1993 all tobacco products were banned from Minor League games. Breaking this rule can land you a fine starting from $100 and up to $1000. Also, to add injury to insult, the player's manager will also be fined for the infraction.
"You just didn't do it [in the minors]," Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said. "Or if they did, they hid it."
- Tobacco is currently not banned in Major League Baseball. There are, however, agreements that were made in the 2011 labor deal that players will not carry any tobacco containers in their back pockets during anytime that fans are allowed in the ball park. This includes batting practice, the actual game, post-game interviews or during autograph sessions.
- In 1998, MLB implemented a ban on teams or tobacco representatives being able to give free dip or chewing tobacco to teams. Before this ban any tobacco company could leave their products with any team, also equipment managers were able to supply players, free of charge.
"Oh, God, yes. Yes it has. You wouldn't believe how cheap some of these guys are. Believe me, it has cut down the amount of dipping and chewing around here.....Baseball did a smart thing here, because not only are some of these guys cheap, but they're also pretty spoiled and lazy."
Most major league players, I assume, are aware of the terrible health risks involved with dip or chew. None of these players also want to be the reason why a young child tries his first "lipper". They know that their actions are easily imitated by the youth of the world but this shouldn't be the reason these grown men aren't allowed to use this product.
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| Lenny Dykstra Courtesy nbcphiladelphia.com |
This from Billy Beane, GM Oakland Athletics and former first round draft pick
"The last thing I think anyone associated with the game wants is for little Timmy at home to see any of us doing something we all know is bad and thinking, 'If they can do it, I can do it.' So if you can keep it out of the public eye, you do it. It's not the best solution, obviously, but short of the ideal, that's probably the way a lot of guys are going these days."
Spatting and chewing tobacco have only one acceptable place in society, and that's on the diamond. Take it out of view, no problem. Ban it altogether, no thanks. High socks, goofy wind ups, and a mouth full of chaw is as familiar to baseball fans as a pitcher brushing a batter off the plate or a base runner sliding hard into 2nd base to break up a double play.
Can't we have a little faith in the players ability to not glamorize chewing tobacco? Maybe if we combine that idea with some good old fashion PARENTING we wouldn't have to be so afraid of a legal product. Let's not try to create more rules so parenting will be easier on us.
Bill Tuttle photo courtesy from tobaccocontrol.com
CHILD "Daddy why does Nick Swisher look like you after you got your wisdom teeth removed?"
FATHER "That's chewing tobacco Jimmy. It's like those dirty things your mom smokes when she drinks too much red juice, but without the smoke"
CHILD "Can I try Chewing tobacco daddy? Please?"
FATHER Google searches BILL TUTTLE and shows his son the image results "When you are a big boy and allowed to buy it, I can't stop you. But just know that this is a possible look for anyone who decides to chew tobacco. Also, girls will think you are disgusting, your teeth will change color and you will need to walk around with a dirty bottle that carries your brown disgusting spit. At one point you will probably spill your spit bottle on someone and then proceed to get beaten up, and rightfully so. When you are old enough you can try it if you want, but I'll think you are an idiot. How does that sound little buddy?"
CHILD "You are the best dad in the world. Did Otis Nixon chew tobacco daddy?"
FATHER "I'll save the Otis Nixon story for you until after high school."
Josh Inglis is man not over the age of 30 who teaches children about fruits, months and other indispensable nuggets of information. He sometimes watches sports and usually nobody will listen to him when he tries to express his point of view. He currently lives in Taiwan
References and quotes here
and here, and here
Bleacher Report Top 10 Dippers
Thanks, MLB.com writer Mychael Urban for his great article on tobacco in baseball (here)
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