Does THAT Belong In Your Mouth?

October 11, 2009 5:39 PM

What is the strange white plastic ring thing that I see baseball players chewing on during the postseason games?

I just saw a Yankee player chewing on this thing, it looked vaguely like maybe a high-tech handle to one of those ring pops from years ago. It was white plastic, sort of squared off, and it was in his mouth.

What on earth IS that thing???

posted by hippybear to sports, hobbies, & recreation (13 comments total)

IANABF (I Am Not a Baseball Fan), but could it be a mouth guard or something similar?
posted by ixohoxi at 5:42 PM on October 11

No, this has a "put your finger through it"sort of handle, and is being chewed on by players off the field.

It looks as though what I'm seeing is a piece of something larger, with a part that stays outside the mouth, and part that is being, um... chewed? consumed?

I'd put a photo of it online, but my satellite television setup does not allow for doing that simply.
posted by hippybear at 5:51 PM on October 11

There are mouthguards that have an external ring for popping it out, I think...
posted by jtron at 6:21 PM on October 11

That doesn't explain why they are being worn in the dugout and not on the field.
posted by hippybear at 6:30 PM on October 11

...could it have actually been a ring-pop?
posted by stray at 6:36 PM on October 11

Baseball used to be swarming with guys who used chewing tobacco. Could be a way to occupy the mouth so as to replace one disgusting habit with a much less dangerous disgusting habit.
posted by Justinian at 6:36 PM on October 11

Could it be the plastic ring from a water bottle?
posted by kidsleepy at 6:39 PM on October 11

It doesn't look like the handle on a ring pop, at least not any that I've ever seen before. And it certainly isn't the plastic tamper-proof ring from a water bottle.

If I can see another shot of a player with one, I'll try to get the digital camera and take a pic to post.
posted by hippybear at 6:47 PM on October 11

I've been in several major-league locker rooms. There are always snacks, candy and food all over the damn place. Everything you can think of. The variety of seeds and nuts alone boggles the mind.

So, it would not surprise me at all to discover that it's a ring pop.

but could it be a mouth guard or something similar?

Baseball players don't use mouth guards, in general.

That doesn't explain why they are being worn in the dugout and not on the field.

The poetry of the game aside, keep in mind that major-leaguers are among the dumbest, crudest humans on earth. If it can be chewed, it will be chewed, no matter where they happen to be in the park.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 8:07 PM on October 11

I saw Nick Swisher holding it in his mouth when he took off his batting gloves. It is something they wear on their thumb to cut down on vibration when they hit the ball. It is to take the sting out of hitting.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:21 PM on October 11

JohnnyGunn has it, although I believe it is more to prevent blisters and position the bat in the hand. You can see a picture of Skip Schumaker wearing one here I have no idea what they are called.
posted by Lame_username at 9:18 PM on October 11

I just called my bud, who says they are called "Direct Protect"

http://www.bplowestprices.com/pro-hitter-dpa-dpy-direct-protect-take-the-sting-out-of-hitting-and-improve-your-grip.html
posted by Lame_username at 9:25 PM on October 11

Ah, the wonders of the hive mind. Thank you all SO much for your speculation and eventual answer!
posted by hippybear at 10:01 PM on October 11