When you’re a baseball fan, it’s hard not to notice all the players who are always chewing gum and mowing through bags of Big League Chew. Do you ever wonder why baseball players always seem to be chewing gum? It’s not just for fresh breath. There are actually a few reasons why players chew gum during games. Baseball is a one-of-a-kind sport. Where else will you find players chewing gum or wearing gold chains?
While chewing gum isn’t required for all players, many of them do it because it helps them focus. Chewing gum gives the brain something to do, so it’s less likely to get distracted. It also helps with hand-eye coordination and timing.
In addition to these benefits, chewing gum such as Big League Chew also helps players stay hydrated. When they’re sweating on the field, the gum will help replace some of the fluids they’ve lost.
So next time you’re watching a game and see a player chewing gum, you’ll know why.
The History of Baseball and Gum
You might not know this, but baseball and gum have a long history together. In fact, the first recorded case of a player chewing gum during a game was in 1869.
At the time, the idea of baseball players chewing gum like Big League Chew was seen as a way to keep your mouth from getting too dry while you were playing. And it turns out that it works—gum chewing actually helps you stay alert and focused.
Some baseball players use chewing tobacco instead of bubble gum during major league baseball and minor league baseball games, but most professional baseball players elect to use chewing bubble gum while playing baseball because it is healthier. Another alternative is sunflower seeds as a chewing tobacco substitute.
MLB players are known to use all three: chewing baseball gum, smokeless tobacco, and sunflower seeds. However, chewing gum brands have invested heavily in both professional and college baseball to replace chewing tobacco and get players chewing gum instead.
That’s because getting baseball players to chew gum is good for their brand, and they believe it is also good for the baseball game. You’ll see many major league professional baseball players endorsing bubble gum brands.
These days, pretty much every baseball player chews gum while they’re playing. To chew gum has become integral to the game. Baseball players chewing gum is almost a certain sight at any major league baseball game and even minor league baseball games.
It’s become such a part of the game that players often chew different flavors to help them match the team’s colors. It’s better than the taste of dirt and can help with a dry mouth! Here are some of the reasons why baseball players chew during their baseball game:
It Helps Players Stay Focused and Energy Levels Up Throughout the Game
When you’re a professional baseball player, there are a lot of things going on at once. You’re trying to make sure you hit the ball, you’re trying not to get hit by the ball, and you’re keeping an eye on the other players. It’s a lot to focus on.
That’s where chewing gum comes in. Baseball players chew gum to help with performance. Chewing gum can help baseball players stay focused and energy levels up throughout the game. It’s a great way to keep your mouth busy, so you’re not thinking about anything else. Baseball bubble gum might not seem like an essential supply, but blowing bubbles with gum isn’t all for fun! It certainly has an impact on performance and can relieve stress as well.
Plus, when you’re out on the field, chewing gum can help you stay hydrated, as opposed to something like chewing tobacco. It’s not as effective as water, but it helps. And who doesn’t love the taste of gum? Baseball players chew gum for various reasons, but helping maintain focus is definitely among them.

It Helps Players Stay Hydrated by Stimulating Saliva Production
When you’re out in the hot sun, sweating, and playing ball, it’s important to stay hydrated. That’s why baseball players chew gum very frequently.
Big league chew can help baseball players stay hydrated by stimulating saliva production. Saliva helps the body to digest food and drink, and it also helps to keep the mouth and throat moist. This is important when you’re playing ball in the summer sun because it can help to prevent dehydration.
So if you see a baseball player chewing gum, don’t be surprised—it’s just one way that they’re trying to stay hydrated and play their best game.
It Helps Players by Keeping an Uninterrupted Flow of Saliva
When you’re a baseball player, you need to focus on a lot of things. You need to be aware of the situation on the field, you need to stay in control of your body, and you need to be able to make quick decisions.
But there’s one more thing that you need to focus on, and that’s your mouth. More specifically, you need to make sure that your mouth is always moist. This is where chewing gum comes in handy.
Chewing gum helps you by keeping an uninterrupted flow of saliva. This is important because if your mouth gets too dry, it can affect your performance. You might start to salivate more than normal, which can make it difficult to control the ball. You might also start to lose focus, and that can lead to costly mistakes.
So if you’re a baseball player, make sure you always have a pack of gum with you. It might just help you take home the championship.
It Helps Players by Freshening Their Breath
Baseball players aren’t only chewing gum just because they like the way it tastes. Chewing gum can actually help them play better by freshening their breath.
When they’re on the field, they’re constantly in close quarters with other players, and that can lead to some pretty bad breath. But chewing gum can offset any bad smells and keep things smelling fresh.
Not only that but chewing gum can also help them stay focused. It’s a stimulant, so it helps keep them alert and energized during long games. And since it’s a sugar-free snack, it won’t cause any spikes or crashes in their blood sugar levels.
It Helps Players by Keeping Their Jaws Loose
It turns out that chewing gum can help players by keeping their jaws loose. This is important because if their jaws are tight, it can interfere with their ability to catch and throw the ball.
Chewing gum also helps players stay focused. When they’re on the field, they need to be 100% focused on the game, and chewing gum can help them stay alert.
The Psychological Benefits of Chewing Gum
Chewing gum has some pretty cool psychological benefits. For one, it keeps your mouth busy, so you’re not tempted to snack on unhealthy foods. It also helps you focus and stay alert, which is especially important when you’re playing a game that lasts for hours on end.
But the best part of chewing gum is undoubtedly the fact that it helps you fight off fatigue. When you’re feeling tired, chewing gum gives your body an energy boost, which is why so many baseball players turn to it during long games. So next time you see a baseball player with a wad of gum in his mouth, don’t be fooled—he’s not just chomping on some flavored rubber for fun. He’s doing it for the sake of his performance!
Why Do Baseball Players Choose Gum – Physical Benefits
Chewing gum has some pretty good physical benefits that make it a favorite for athletes. For starters, chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain. This is why so many athletes chew gum during competition—it helps them focus and stay in the moment. Gum also helps with concentration and memory, which is why coaches often have their players chew gum during practice.
Chewing gum also helps reduce stress levels, which is important for athletes who are constantly under pressure. And if you’re looking to improve your breathing, chew some gum—it can help increase your lung capacity!
Conclusion
There are all sorts of theories out there, but we think it has to do with the fact that baseball is a very boring game. (Sorry, baseball fans!) And why you’re stuck in the stands for three hours, chewing gum gives you something to do. But it’s not just about keeping busy. There are actually a few good reasons why players chew gum during games.
A few reasons are that it helps players stay focused, avoid bad breath, prevents them from swallowing their saliva too frequently, digest food properly, and avoid getting cramps in their jaw muscles. It also keeps their mouths moist, gives them an energy boost, cleans their teeth and gums between innings, and gives them a sense of relief when they are under stress. And lastly, it’s fun to do, and it tastes good.
But the most important reason is probably that chewing gum helps them focus and stay in the moment. When they’re at bat, they don’t want to think about anything but the ball coming towards them.
While you may not be a professional baseball player, you can still benefit from chewing gum. If you’re feeling a little drowsy or unfocused, try popping a piece of gum in your mouth and see if it helps. And if you’re heading to an important meeting, make sure to pack a stick of gum to keep your breath smelling fresh.
So next time you’re watching a game, keep an eye out for all the players chewing away!