The obstacles to eliminating smokeless tobacco from baseball

[valo403]

Originally Posted by speede5

That's such a cop-out for bad behavior. While the statement is technically correct, and this applies to all public figures, sports film, music, they sell themselves as the product and people want not only to see the product but emulate it. There is an indirect responsibility on the stars to be a good example.

The parents do have the most control, they can keep their children away from the events, I'm sure if attendance dropped in half because of this there would be a change in attitude, but it doesn't have to go that far.

And it won't, because there is absolutely no way that the presence of chew is going to cause 50% of the people who attend baseball games to stay away. They aren't feeding virgins to lions on the field.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by valo403

And it won't, because there is absolutely no way that the presence of chew is going to cause 50% of the people who attend baseball games to stay away. They aren't feeding virgins to lions on the field.

This might actually increase baseball attendance.

[burn_baby_burn]

Ultimately its up to the owners to decide if the use of smokeless tobacco is hurting their image resulting in a loss of revenue. Baseball from what I have read recently, is having a tough time attracting young fans. The attitude of the owners is going to have to change dramatically to reverse the trend.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Ultimately its up to the owners to decide if the use of smokeless tobacco is hurting their image resulting in a loss of revenue. Baseball from what I have read recently, is having a tough time attracting young fans. The attitude of the owners is going to have to change dramatically to reverse the trend.

I don't think that has to do with the presence of dip though, it's more an issue of the game being boring and the inability to stop living in the past. Young people aren't into baseball because it's not 'cool'. It's an old persons sport that's filled with so many traditionalists who keep it that way. Change is impossible because of some idiotic notion that baseball should be this pure piece of Americana. A bunch of old men trying to pretend that America is still in 1956 and hanging on to their wistful childhood memories.

Honestly that's what turns me off the most about baseball, all the Joe Buck speeches about days gone by and that BS. It's by far the most pompous sport out there, and it has absolutely no right to be.

[Weiser Wonder]

I like how ridiculous it is.

Some of the players are obese. Not in a NFL lineman highly trained way either, they just don't take care of themselves.

Players can eat and chew during the game.

All this absurd patting the field, themselves and the bat before taking an at-bat.

The screaming matches where the manager and ump are literally centimeters from each other's face.

The huge amount of time it takes to do anything.

Never change, baseball, never change.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by valo403

And it won't, because there is absolutely no way that the presence of chew is going to cause 50% of the people who attend baseball games to stay away. They aren't feeding virgins to lions on the field.

Exactly. The overwhelming majority shrug their shoulders and accept it as is.

[dustyanddaflames]

I think the simple fact that baseball players are allowed to be seen with tins of chaw in their back pockets speaks volumes that MLB doesn't feel it is harming their product.

You wanna ban it from their pant pocket - go ahead. I am not sure it would cause a ruckus, but these guys are grown men - they legally can make the choice to chew or not, and don't need anyone telling them what to do. They know the facts, just as you or I know the facts - yet some continue to do it. It isn't performance enhancing steroids, it isn't marijuana or cocaine - and until this stuff is banned from over the counter purchasing - I say do as you please.