Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 13, 1991 TAG: 9103130068
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VERO BEACH, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
By baseball commissioner Fay Vincent's order, smokeless tobacco will be banned this season at ballparks in the Class A Appalachian and Northwest leagues and the Pioneer and Gulf Coast rookie leagues.
The rule applies to players, managers, coaches, umpires and all other on-field personnel. Even though the edict was designed to reduce health risks such as mouth cancer and gum disease, Eddie Watt and others don't agree.
"I'm not sure baseball has the right to dictate a person's personal habits. I think it's very difficult to legislate against some things," he said. "On the field, yes. Baseball can say what it wants. But off the field, I'm not sure about that."
Watt has chewed tobacco for 30 years. He did it throughout his career as a major-league reliever, but he can't this season as a coach for Bradenton, Atlanta's team in the Gulf Coast League.
"I could give it up, but it would be a difficult thing," he said. "I drank for 25 years. I am a confirmed alcoholic. I gave up drinking and haven't had a drink in three years. I smoked for 25 years, and I no longer smoke.
"But I gave up those things because it was my decision. I had a choice. I didn't do it because someone legislated against it. And I don't think baseball should be doing this, either."
A couple of springs ago, Brett gave up chewing tobacco and started chewing gum. When baseball then pressed major-leaguers to stop, he resumed, saying he resented being pinched for putting a pinch between his cheek and gum.
Ballplayers and wads of tobacco have been linked ever since the game began. Packets of snuff and stuff have regularly been put in the clubhouses, along with the usual fruit, gum and sunflower seeds.
It's hard to say how many minor-leaguers dip and chew. Estimates range from a handful of players on some teams to 50 percent of others.
Several teams already have banned chewing tobacco from the minor-league clubhouses at their spring training sites. In its place, there are packs of a tobacco-free substitute, a 14-page booklet put out by the commissioner's office on the health dangers and mandatory dental tests.
"It's been a big subject of discussion the coaches' room this spring," said Jerry Royster, who will manage Los Angeles' Class A Vero Beach team. "A lot of the guys have been doing it for years, and it's going to be hard to stop.
"I think it will have quite an effect. Maybe they will be able to stay away at the park, but I'm sure a lot of them will do it as soon as they leave the park."
Detroit Tigers reliever Mike Henneman said, "I'm just glad the rule doesn't affect us. If they instated it, I'd see what I could do to comply. But there wouldn't be any guarantees. And I'm sure I speak for a lot of guys when I say that."
by CNB