Why Do Baseball Players Chew Gum?

Baseball players chew gum to help them maintain focus and stay relaxed during games. Players have described the practice as soothing and helpful in reducing stress and anxiety during the prolonged waiting periods characteristic of baseball. Chewing gum is also woven into players’ personal routines and superstitions—some players chew a fixed number of pieces, replace the gum after each at bat, or celebrate with bubble‑blowing in the dugout. According to some medical studies, the physical activity of chewing can enhance cognitive functions and alertness. It also offers practical benefits for oral health and can help keep the mouth moist, which is particularly useful in dry or hot conditions.

Chewing gum has replaced the practice of chewing smokeless tobacco, which was deeply embedded in professional baseball culture for much of the 20th century. As awareness of tobacco’s harmful effects grew, organized baseball and municipal governments curtailed its visibility and use. Major League Baseball and the players’ union banned smokeless tobacco for new players in 2016, and various cities prohibited on‑field use. Shredded bubble gum brands such as Big League Chew, introduced in 1980 as a tobacco‑free look‑alike, became emblematic replacements.