I can think of no sport other than baseball that accepts, even condones, spitting. Countless TV closeups of hitters, pitchers, infielders, outfielders, coaches and managers reveal with startling intimacy this repulsive gesture.
I recently asked a young Little Leaguer why it seemed necessary for him to spit several times a minute. He thought a moment but didn’t reply.
In an age conscious of pollution of air, water and food, gravely concerned about contaminants of all sorts in parts per million and parts per billion quantities, reluctant at times to shake another person’s hand and terrified at the sight of blood, one wonders why spitting seemingly is a way of life for participants at all levels in our national pastime. Pitchers’ mounds, batters’ boxes and dugouts no doubt are awash with offensive fluids.
Although I have never heard of the possibility of secondhand spit, my hope would be that spitting would be considered in the same light as smoking and banned at public events of any kind.
