(Image Source: Chicago Sun Times)

BY JULIA CORDEROY

What do you think when you think of Major League Baseball-- Hotdogs? Beer? Chewing tobacco? Well just in time for the World Series, there’s a movement to ban one of them- and you can bet it’s not the beer. Fox News has the details.

“And while some players have taken up chewing on sunflower seeds, about one third of players still use some form of smokeless tobacco. Now lawmakers in Washington are trying to get tobacco banned from the big leagues, but it’s a tough sell.”

Supporters of the ban tell NECN-- the move would be good for both players and fans.

“Smokeless tobacco is an dangerous, addictive product that causes cancer, so this is a big step that we’re asking Major League Baseball and the players to take to ban smokeless tobacco use on the field and in the dug out. It’ll be great for the Major League Baseball players, but even more important it will be great for our kids who idolize our baseball heroes and imitate their every move.”

But for others-- the idea is a swing and a miss. A writer for Yahoo Sports says the timing is way off.

“The St Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are preparing for the biggest games in their careers. Would it really be fair to ban tobacco just before the series begins? If these guys are chewing they are most likely addicted. This isn't the time that players need to be dealing with withdrawal symptoms.”

This idea isn’t without precedent though. The Chicago Sun Times points out...

“Currently, smoking cigarettes in uniform while in public view is prohibited. Smokeless tobacco has been outlawed in the minors since 1993.”

Finally- a writer for NBC Sports says the ban may never happen, and may never need to. Sometimes just the idea is enough to make an impact.

“...it [is] exactly these kinds of gestures and overall awareness/shaming campaigns that have led to a big, big reduction in tobacco use overall.  Laws and bans have played a big part in that, but stigmatizing tobacco use and getting minds and values to change over time has probably played a way bigger role.”