The World Series of Spitting
Stuff I hate November 3rd, 2007For 51 weeks out of the year, I pay zero attention to sports. It’s only during the World Series that I even realize sports exist. Because I’m living in a sports-free vacuum most of the year, I was surprised to learn about the new rule that evidently all ball players are required to follow.
They must eject a half-gallon of spit on the field every game.
What I thought was going to be fun to watch on our new HDTV turned into a disgusting salivary waterworks display that I could not ignore and that ruined me for sports for even that one measly week I let myself go.
Every other minute, cameramen zoomed in on one or more players shooting spitwads on the field. And then there’s the manager for the Colorado Rockies, who was chewing a wad of gum the size of a grapefruit and spitting out long, thick, stringy wads that could fill up a shot glass.
What. Is. With. The. Spitting????
After a few days of this, I happened to mention this ickiness to my Dad, an avid sports fan. He understood how I could be so disgusted, but quickly informed me that "Baseball is a spittin’ game." Yeah, Dad, but why?
He shared our conversation with my Mom, who then sent me a clipping from her local paper, The Express Times, with a note that read "Kath, Somebody else agrees. Mom."
She sent me a letter to the editor, written by a woman who is as appalled as I am.
All things being relative, this letter will fall under the category of frivolous. However, I am serious. My interests in and knowledge of sports are limited. I really enjoy the NBA games and watch baseball during playoffs and the World Series.
Here’s my question: What is the connection or reason behind baseball players, and on up to managers, and spitting? The more you notice it, the more you can’t help but notice it. It is a revolting, disgusting habit.
The other night I watched a rookie pitcher for about 10 minutes. He spit nonstop. I gave up watching. Also, what are they all chewing nonstop? Is it gum or tobacco wads or what? These habits really take away from the pleasure of the game.
In what other setting in polite company would they be tolerated?
Shirley Ann Korth
Phillipsburg, NJ
I’d like to meet that woman. She understands that baseball and spitting need not go hand-in-hand. At some point, it takes over the game and all you’re doing is waiting for the next shot of someone dumping their saliva all over the place.
During Game 6, I even took pictures of one particularly lively spit. I don’t know who the player is, but I have to admire his method. His spit sprayed in no less than twenty directions. Kudos. I guess.
I’m not sure I’ll be watching the World Series of Spitting next year. I might be better off listening to it on the radio. At least that way, I won’t get wet.
Stumble it!
November 3rd, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Wow, and I thought that I was a spitting queen in my day! Even I couldn’t have spit in so many directions with my wide-gap front teeth.
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:10 pm
@ Ann — I’ll always consider you the spitting queen, even though you can’t do it anymore. Your spit prowess was the stuff of legend.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Lucky you for focusing on that. Your pile of annoyances appears to be growing quite large.
Oh, and great job catching that spray on film. You have a gift. I think.
November 4th, 2007 at 1:29 am
@ Jeff — You DON’T want to know how many tries it took to get those shots. Dave was freeze-framing for 10 minutes. Again, St. David to the rescue.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
That spitting shot is a classic. Seriously, you could submit that…I don’t know where, but it’s hilarious.
I couldn’t agree more with the spitting! Why can’t someone explain it? They chew and spit sunflower seeds, too, which I guess is healthier than tobacco but still gross to look at.
Tell your dad his explanation is insufficient. Also ask him about the scratching and adjusting. Do these guys think we can’t see them???
Great post! And a new one to read, too!
November 4th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Anyone interested in adding a “Digg” to this story, go here:
http://digg.com/baseball/The_World_Series_of_Spitting_great_pic
November 4th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Woops! The rest of that Digg url is “…of_Spitting_great_pic”
November 4th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
@ JD — I googled this issue of baseball and spitting. A lot of people seem to think they do it to increase saliva when they’re thirsty from running around bases and stuff. This is so lame. Football players don’t seem to spit much. They just walk over to the sidelines and take a swig of water.
I just think baseball has one huge obsessive compulsive disorder. The grabbing and adjusting fits right in with that.
And thanks for the Digg!
November 6th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Kathy,
I feel your pain on the spitting thingy. This is probably one of the reasons that I don’t care much for baseball. There’s always someone spitting which totally grosses me out.
November 6th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Bennie — Between the spitting, adjusting and grabbing, no wonder the games can last for six hours. Speed it up fellas!
November 25th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Great writing and very entertaining.You have a wonderful blog.
As for the spitting… perhaps it’s a side effect of the steroids! Lol
Love your blog,
Grizzly
November 25th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
@ Grizzly — Well, thanks! Someone told me spitting in baseball is a ritual that people do just because the people before them did it. So I guess I have a problem with the first guy who thought it’d make a fine addition to the game!