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It is estimated that 70% of MLB players chew gum or eat seeds during a game. Now that players are more aware of the risks (and chewing tobacco is banned in some places), more players are chewing gum or eating seeds. Baseball players often chew tobacco, sunflower seeds, or chewing gum, which can leave the mouth extremely moist from salivary tobacco. Baseball players chew gum because chewing is an iconic part of the baseball aesthetic that has been present since its founding. However, players originally chewed tobacco, which has fallen out of popularity. So alternatives such as gum and sunflower seeds are used instead. Most baseball players believe that chewing gum can help reduce tension, use it instead of chewing tobacco, and some simply chew it out of superstition. Some players use chewing gum to replace the habit of chewing tobacco, while other players use it to get rid of the taste of dirt in their mouths. Players often carry gum or other types of chewing gum in their back pocket while playing. Because chewing gum lasts a long time in games, many players choose Big League Chew as their chewing gum for professional baseball players. Chewing Gum Has Been on the Rise in Popularity As MLB continues to phase out smokeless tobacco in sports, many players now chew gum during games. MLB players can still chew gum during games, so expect to see more players blowing bubbles on the field. Chewing gum is a physical action that baseball players can take to calm their nerves and help them focus. MLB baseball players routinely chew gum, spit, grind seeds and tobacco. Gum is in the same boat as sunflower seeds, and players can pick up a habit at a young age in the minor leagues and continue chewing gum while making millions in the majors. Every player chews gum for a different reason, whether it’s to relieve stress, avoid dry mouth, out of habit or superstition, or just for fun, chewing gum while playing baseball has become the norm for a long time to come. Chewing Gum Has Some Advantages for Atheltes Chewing gum at a baseball game is a form of relaxation, a form of distraction that helps many people forget about mistakes, a distraction that helps players move forward and stay calm under pressure. As mentioned, chewing gum makes players feel more relaxed and may be better at playing the game. Chewing gum helps with dry mouth, as well as relaxing and calming nerves. If you're a nervous coach or athlete, chewing gum can not only calm your nerves and reduce stress and anxiety, but also boost your concentration levels. Chewing on something seems to relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and give players and coaches the opportunity to focus without being distracted by nerves. A study found that chewing gum helped increase alertness and reduce anxiety, a combination that any baseball player will find very helpful from time to time. For coaches, chewing gum can help respond to changes in matches by making effective substitutions according to the needs of the situation at any given time, and by making specific moves when matches are in balance. Chewing Gum Is Known to Relax Players and Improve Their Focus More than anything, chewing gum is something you can do with your mouth and face while you wait for something to happen. Chewing gum is also said to prevent dry mouth, as well as calm nerves, anxiety and fear during game day, giving you an edge over your competition. From helping players and coaches stay relaxed, calm and alert to preventing dry mouths, chewing gum is a huge part of the sport and doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Although chewing gum is not a permanent solution for players who are addicted to chewing tobacco, it provides them with temporary relief, helping them to play and compete at a professional level. Chewing Gum in Baseball Has Been Iconic for Decades From the beginning of baseball, chewing tobacco has been popular with players because it can be easily tucked into gloves during play. Gamers began to use less and less chewing tobacco in the 1970s and 1980s, and chewing became even less popular in the following decades as gamers became concerned about the negative effects of tobacco on their health. The use of chewing tobacco in baseball grew steadily until the mid-20th century, when cigarettes became popular and replaced the smokeless tobacco habit of some players. When baseball first became popular in the country, it was common for players of all ages to chew tobacco on the bench. A Decades-long Push Move Away from Tobacco Drives Gum Sales Five years later, MLB and the union agreed to another collective bargaining agreement that banned new players joining the league from chewing tobacco. Growing awareness of the health risks led to a reduction in the presence of tobacco in baseball, and in 2011 the MLB and the players' union signed an agreement as the professionals decided not to use chewing tobacco where fans could see them. MLB recognized this issue and the health concerns associated with chewing tobacco, and in 2016 negotiated with the players' union to ban the use of smokeless tobacco. MLB tried to push players towards alternatives like seeds and chewing gum by banning teams from offering tobacco to their players. MLB ultimately banned former NBA player Caron Butler from chewing straws during games, saying it was for safety reasons. Former NBA player Caron Butler actually chewed on a plastic straw during every game. To overcome the habit of chewing tobacco, many people use chewing gum as a safer substitute for tobacco. Some motives for biting baseball gum include wild ideas, keeping baseball players' mouths wet, and that's just the beginning. These players want to feel young, and since they most likely started playing baseball as kids, chewing gum takes them back to where they were in time and space when they were younger.

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