Chewing Tobacco

My dad worked it where I would never want to chew tobacco or dip snuff. Even though I was pretty young he decided to allow me to sample some tobacco knowing that I could not handle it.

I was playing Summer League baseball. There were boys a little older than me playing in the League. I was about 8 years old. I saw some of my competitors either dipping snuff or chewing tobacco. I went to my dad and told him since I was playing baseball that I needed some tobacco as well. It was time for me to utilize some smokeless tobacco. He quickly agreed and whisked me down to Super D, our local drug store. When we got there we went and found the tobacco aisle and he left me to find whatever I wanted. It seems like there was thousands of choices and I felt so mature as I was there to pick out whatever I wanted. I made my selection of Chattanooga Chew and met my dad and the checkout counter. He acted like I had made a good choice and we headed for home.

We got home and headed out to the back yard to sit in the swing and begin my journey of manhood with chewing tobacco. With little instruction my dad told me to put some in my mouth and just enjoy. I did as he told and then he joined in as well. I remember sitting there swinging back and forth a bit curious about the flavor and wondering what I was exactly supposed to be doing. I spit a few times. I kept swinging back and forth and then I began spinning. My head was turning round and round but I wanted to carry on because this is what baseball players did. After a few minutes more the phone rang. I wanted the excuse to get up so I went to answer. I made the mistake of going in to answer without spitting out the chew. Finding no alternative I swallowed the chew and answered the phone. The amount I swallowed was quite large due to the fact I wanted my check to bulge out since I had seen the big leaguers doing the same.

My dad asked me if I wanted more and I declined. We both carried on with our business. I had a game later that night and was supposed to pitch. About an hour after the phone rang I began to feel very sick. I turned pale white and then a few different shades of green. I remember laying on the floor in the den feeling like my insides were at war. My mother came home and realized what I had done as well as what my dad had done. I then threw up many, many times. It was a grueling afternoon.

I went on to pitch later that night but I did not need chewing tobacco like the professionals or like some of my competitors. I was "cured" of that desire for the rest of my life. For many years even the smell of tobacco would send me over the edge. It was genius on my dad's part to give me a small amount of freedom knowing what the results would be.

He would even have fun with this experience many years later. I got a package in the mail from him while I was at ACU. With great anticipation I ripped it open to find 2 packs of Chattanooga Chew. I had many friends begging for the chew.

I really hope I do not have to go through this with Riley or Owen. If so I think that might be a good bonding experience with their grandfather...