California Lawmaker Wants Tobacco Banned From Baseball Fields Across State
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A California lawmaker hopes his proposed tobacco-free baseball bill will hit a home run at the state Capitol.
The bill aims to eliminate chewing tobacco in all baseball parks, from Little League to the major leagues.
The ban targets a notorious habit that has been with the game forever. The proposal comes months after Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn died from mouth cancer.
The ban already exists at the minor-league level, where players can be fined if caught.
Current pitching coach for the Stockton Ports and former MLB player Rick Rodriguez says the ban has helped decrease chew use, but not completely.
"It's very hard to get rid of that tradition," he said.
While he likes the idea, he worries the ban would be very hard to enforce.
"I don't believe someone can tell you what to do," he said. "Maybe it's a personal choice that you have to come to grips with yourself."
Arleen Green certainly doesn't want her 4-year-old learning bad habits from players he looks up to, but she believes the lesson should start at home.
"It all comes down to family, we are the ones who teach our children what is right and what is not right for their health," she said.
Supporters say they are considering adding components to the proposed bill that would also address treatments for nicotine addiction.