If you watch baseball on TV you may notice that baseball players of all kinds chew gum, and they chew a lot of it. You may even notice that there are buckets of gum located in the dugouts during MLB games.
Why do Baseball Players Chew Gum?
It depends! Some players chew gum to replace a tobacco habit, others chew gum to relieve tension, avoid dry mouth, to remove the taste of dirt, it has become a habit, or because it is fun.
Below we will address six different reasons that baseball players chew gum during a game:
- Replace a chewing tobacco habit
- Relieve tension
- Avoid dry mouth
- Chewing gum has become a habit
- Chewing gum is fun
We will discuss all of these reasons as to why baseball players chew gum during competition. This has become popular with professional baseball players and has been passed down to even the youth levels.
Chewing Gum Replaces Chewing Tobacco
Ever since the invention of baseball as a sport, players have chewed tobacco. In the 1920’s chewing tobacco became extremely popular and a staple of the game of baseball. At that time, it was thought to be a valid alternative to smoking cigarettes.
Over time, the consequences of chewing tobacco has played a major health risk for those that chose this habit.
Major League Baseball acknowledged this issue and the health concerns that came with chewing tobacco and in 2016, along with the players union, bargained to outlaw the use of smokeless tobacco.
In 1990, college baseball banned chewing tobacco, and in 1993, minor league baseball banned chewing tobacco.
Chewing gum, for many, has become a replacement for a chewing tobacco habit that was developed by many players at young ages. Chewing gum is a much safer option and has become a staple at most baseball games, whether the MLB, college, high school, or youth levels.
Chewing Gum Helps Relieve Tension
Sports can be nail biting, nerve wrecking, and tense. Baseball is a sport that has a lot of down time, especially in between at bats, and plays on the field. For some positions, there is a chance that a ball may not be hit to you all game.
The emotion and tension of baseball, the downtime to think about the last play, and the pressure that is involved, can be somewhat stressful for many. Chewing gum is a way to stay relaxed, a way to relieve the tension that naturally comes with any sport.
Chewing gum during a baseball game is a form of relaxation, a form of distraction, that can help many forget about mistakes, a distraction that helps players move on and be calm under pressure.
Chewing Gum Helps Avoid Dry Mouth
Sports can create stress, nerves, and tension. Baseball is a precise game, with little room for error. The body reacts often with stressors that can cause dry mouth. This in turn can cause more stress.
Having a dry mouth during baseball can also be caused from high temperatures and from exertion during the activity. Chewing a piece of gum helps both the dry mouth issue as well as a relaxation and calming of nerves.
Some games are played in high heat, chewing gum limits the dry mouth effect that often occurs from high heat and stress. In turn, chewing gum can help an athlete relax more and hopefully come through during important moments in baseball.
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Chewing Gum Has Become a Habit
Any activity can be habit forming in nature. For whatever reason a baseball player might chew gum, sometimes it becomes a habit because mentally it is a relaxation technique during high stress situations.
Baseball players are creatures of habit, and many believe in the superstitions that are involved in the game of baseball. A player that performs well while chewing gum might assume that the reason it happened is because they were chewing gum during the success.
Many sports have players that are superstitious, but baseball players may be the most superstitious and routine. Although chewing gum was more than likely not a reason a player had success, baseball players are known for repetition and routine.
Most players will find the little things during success and continue to do those little things. This is something that has happened since the beginning of baseball and will more than likely continue for many years to come.
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Chewing Gum is Fun
Let’s face it, at a young age, kids want to chew bubblegum. Gum is fun, it allows you to be distracted and enjoy something, especially during down times.
Gum allows bubbles, with each bubble looking and reacting different. It is fun for kids to blow bubbles, then to pop them. It is a challenge; to blow the best bubble.
If you watch videos of MLB players, you can see players chewing gum all game. If you watch closer, they like to blow bubbles and show them off. Whether in the dugout or on the field, blowing bubbles with gum is a pastime that will never die.
What are the Most Common Types of Gum for Baseball Players?
Although baseball players will chew any type of gum, there are a few common types of gum that are most popular.
Double Bubble
Dubble Bubble is a common gum that MLB players chew. Most dugouts have buckets of Double Bubble gum, and you will see players putting a new piece of gum in, just about every inning.
Big League Chew
In 1979, Big League Chew was a new invention, and it caught attention and popularity very quickly. The idea was to mimic chewing tobacco, but taking gum and shredding it. Big League Chew is a better, a more healthy option than chewing tobacco. It is a way to feel like the old timers, but without the consequences of the health risks of tobacco.
Child-Like Spirit
Professional athletes are known for being young at heart. Many childhood memories of playing baseball in the backyard, or playing youth baseball with neighborhood friends are memories that can not be replaced.
Professional baseball players can chew gum as a way to bring back those child-like spirits, the feeling they got when they played as young kids.
Alternatives to Chewing Gum in Baseball
- Sunflower Seeds
- Beef Jerky
Sunflower Seeds
Once again, the child-like spirit of competing and enjoying being young and playing baseball can be played again through eating sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are inexpensive and can be put in the pocket of any baseball player.
Most young baseball players have tried sunflower seeds, it is a summertime specialty and relieves some of the tension and stress that chewing gum does as well. Sunflower seeds are a staple at any baseball complex, as you will see empty shells on the concrete and field.
Beef Jerky
Although not as common as gum and sunflower seeds, and mostly eaten but baseball players that are not professional, beef jerky is another alternative to gum. Beef jerky has a resemblance to chewing tobacco, but has health benefits.
Beef jerky is a great source of protein, and a good pick-me-up on a long day of baseball.
Final Thoughts
Baseball players of all ages chew gum, and for many different reasons. Players as young as 5, as they take the field, want to have that feeling of being a true baseball players. Young kids emulate professional baseball players, chewing gum, blowing bubbles, and have a great time.
Each player chews bubble gum for a different reason, whether it is to relieve stress, to avoid dry mouth, as a habit or superstition, or just because it’s fun, chewing gum while playing baseball has become a staple and will be for years.
