How to Find Safer Alternatives to Chewing Tobacco

The classic faux chewing tobacco!

Chewing tobacco has long been a part of baseball, almost a ritual in itself for players to consume. Over the last few decades we have learned about the dangers of tobacco, but fortunately there are more alternatives out there these days than ever before. Baseball players can now relax, keep spitting to their hearts' content and not worry about their jaw rotting off! This article will give some ideas on some safe alternatives for the ballplayer who can't bear the thought of playing without a mouth stuffed full of something!

Instructions

Some safe alternatives for chewing tobacco

1. 

   Big League Chew. This now classic bubble gum was all the rage when it became popular in the 80's. The appeal to ballplayers is that it is packaged in a pouch, much like real tobacco. The gum itself is shredded, to give it a consistency more like the real thing. The only drawback is a little sugar.

2. 

   Jerky chew. This is geared more towards the player who dips, rathers than chews. Jerky Chew is actually just shredded beef jerky that is sold in plastic "tins" much like Skoal or Copenhagen or any other popular dipping tobacco. The player can still feel a bulge in his pants as the container is the same size as the tobacco tin, and the jerky is shredded to allow it to be placed between the cheek and gum, just like the real thing! A bit too much of this and your mouth will get a little sore from the salt, but it is still better than losing your jaw or tongue!

3. 

   Eat sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds have been around a long time for the ball players not wanting to lose their face. Most players go for the whole seeds, cramming gobs into their mouth, preferring to crack and pull the seed out with their tongue. It makes for a great time waster when the pitcher can't find the strike zone, and you're left to your own devices in the outfield. Sunflower seeds now come in a huge variety of flavors, such as barbecue, jalapeño and ranch. The only real drawback is that these little suckers have more salt in their shells than even the jerky does, and after one mouthful, your gum and lips are likely to be raw. Rinse your mouth out with plenty of water between innings, or just be a wussy and eat them one at a time with your fingers.