Typical World Series Inning: 1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 42 Spits

How many of us have said while watching TV: "It's better than actually being there!"? Diehard fans might dispute that contention, but everyone has to admit that television coverage of sports is remarkable, and coverage of the World Series was extraordinary. But, why, why, why the endless close-ups of faces and the spitting marathon! It is bad enough that every baseball player feels that he has to spit every ten seconds, but why do we have to see the face of the pitcher or the batter before every pitch as he is spitting.

Of course, the blame for all this spitting lies first with the players. I am no expert on baseball. (frankly it comes after football, basketball and even hockey in my sport favorites), but I assume it started with the need to spit chewing tobacco. I don't think there is much of that going on in the game today. I do see players blowing bubble gum bubbles, a subject about which I am an expert. I do not think that there is any physiological need to spit while or after chewing bubble gum or any gum for that matter.

But if the players persist in this foul and disgusting habit, at least the TV producer should spare us the repeated international broadcast of each and every saliva ejection. Not only do I believe that the average or even avid fan has no desire to see this, but I wince when I see what these role models have wrought. I watched the wonderful Little League World Series, (as exciting as the big leagues) and darned if almost every kid out there wasn't spitting between their teeth. I doubt that there was any tobacco chewing going on out there, but probably a lot of gum chewing. Almost all kids chew gum and other than in baseball, spitting does not seem to be necessary nor popular. So the players with the help of TV have created this spitting frenzy and the baseball youth of the country unfortunately have emulated it. As a result of worshiping the players, the youth of America may turn out a few golden gloves and home run kings, but they certainly all will be champion spitters.

 

Comments

[PhilTListener]

I agree spitting is not one of the "finer" habits we as humans may have, but it is a biological function that serves a purpose. Have you ever had the "pleasure" of having a dry or as it is better known "cotton mouth"? Raising the amount of moisture in the mouth to enable the dry, white spit seen coming from the mouths of pitchers sometimes helps relieve the condition.

Also, as stated so well by Bob Dylan in "It's Alright Ma (I'm only Bleeding):
"Even the president of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked".

We americans would do well to get over the marketing induced perception that biological functions are gross. Many are just that, normal biological functions.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin - Huffpost Blogger]

PhilTListener - I defer to greater knowledge and expertise, but why is it that only baseball players have this strong biological need? For instance, I am certain stage actors have dry mouth and are under tension, but I don't believe they walk around the stage spitting every few seconds. I think that it is more habit and tradition than biological need.As to Bob Dylan----I bet this President could "stand naked" without spitting!

[PhilTListener]

I appreciate the deferral to my greater expertise, as long as the judge doesn't hold a grudge (another Dylan reference). However, I think it would be a bit more difficult to clean up the stage than having the saliva disappear into the grass and dirt on a baseball field.

Thanks for the interesting and different post. It makes for a welcome break from the usual HuffPo topics.

[somarie]

True...true... my son emulated them but thankfully we have prevailed and he has stopped doing it. It was hard to explain to him how he can not all do the things his sport's heroes do.

I cringed every time I see a spitting close up, it's like watching a horror show. I wish they would keep it out of the camera like other "changing room " antics.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin - Huffpost Blogger]

somarie - i agree. Even if we cannot get the players to stop, we certainly ought to be able to convince the TV producer/directors to spare us the close-ups!

[JimR]

I don't know, your honor... if you made a list of the Top 500 problems plaguing baseball right now, this wouldn't even make the cut.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin - Huffpost Blogger]

JimR - You are probably right, but I guess no matter what you write about, there is always something more important. I suppose some people would say even discussing baseball at all is foolish considering what else is going on in the world. (Note: I have another post today under Politics about the Senate's 60 vote rule). But I concede spitting in baseball is not a world shaking problem, but i couldn't resist. I thought I noted moisture on my TV screen when the Series was over!

[manumoka]

Your honor, please, if you're going to write about baseball, you should know something about it: chewing tobacco is still very much a common baseball addiction. There is lots "of that going on in the game today."

That said, the spitting is disgusting, especially when it's a big slimy gunk of Copenhagen chew drooling down somebody's lip. Basketball players should be spitting more than anyone, based on the amount of running in their game. So I agree with your premise, that it's a disgusting baseball tradition.

Ratings would go up if MLB found a way to get the chew and the spit out of the game. Any suggestions on how to do that?

[JimR]

"Ratings would go up if MLB found a way to get the chew and the spit out of the game."

Um, no. No they would not.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin - Huffpost Blogger]

manumoka - I conceded and do concede my lack of expertise regarding baseball. But frankly I would be very surprised if there were many players during the World Series chewing tobacco. It is so obvious and with all of the close-ups, I sure didn't see any evidence. Usually the player has a bulge in his cheek and unfortunately the spit has an unmistakable color. But even if you are right, I think we both agree that it should stop with or without chewing tobacco. How to stop it is for wiser minds, but complaining about it might help. Thanks

[Paradym]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

This should be expanded beyond sports and into the general public. I do not understand the growing habit of males (because I have yet to see a female spit) spitting in public. It's a vile and unnecessary habit. I do not like having to witness someone spewing bodily fluid, and having to sidestep puddles of saliva (and whatever else is mixed in) while enjoying a walk.

Recently, while waiting for a train, a young man was pacing and talking on his cell phone and felt the need to spit every 30 seconds to minute. In the 5-10 minutes we waited I couldn't help but count at least 32 times he spit. Not looking at him wasn't an option as he was pacing in front of everyone. I'm not at all squeamish, but spitting is revolting.

[Judge H. Lee Sarokin - Huffpost Blogger]

Paradym - I totally agree. Even the New York subways which are not the pristine capitols of the world have "No Spitting" signs. Now if we could only get the baseball managers to give that sign to the players....

[mpell]

Or to read the signs themselves! Terry Francona? One must avert one's eyes.

At least my favorite manager, Joe Girardi, is not a very spitty one.

Thank you, your honor, for a comment long past due.