"In the same year as Dickens' visit [1842], Americans played what was likely the first-ever game of baseball, in Manhattan."
What a load of tripe. Jane Austen referred to "base ball" near the beginning of her novel "Northanger Abbey." This was published in 1818, though it was written some years before.
Black Sea is correct. Nicotine acts in a somewhat similar fashion as Ritalin, so it helps players maintain incredible concentration, pitch after pitch, despite the extreme improbability of any one pitch being hit in their direction.
A huge number of players also used Ritalin and/or Adderall, but the league just banned them a few years back, so I'd expect tobacco use to increase rather than decrease.
I'm somewhat disappointed the folks in Slate didn't figure this out. It rather casts doubt on everything I've read in the "Explainer" column because it's common knowledge to fans.
"In the same year as Dickens' visit [1842], Americans played what was likely the first-ever game of baseball, in Manhattan."
What a load of tripe. Jane Austen referred to "base ball" near the beginning of her novel "Northanger Abbey." This was published in 1818, though it was written some years before.
Tobacco contains nicotine, a nervous system stimulant which many ball players believe, rightly or wrongly, sharpens their reaction time.
Isn't the most obvious answer that these players are addicted to nicotine, and you're not exactly allowed to light up a cigarette in left field?
Black Sea is correct. Nicotine acts in a somewhat similar fashion as Ritalin, so it helps players maintain incredible concentration, pitch after pitch, despite the extreme improbability of any one pitch being hit in their direction.
A huge number of players also used Ritalin and/or Adderall, but the league just banned them a few years back, so I'd expect tobacco use to increase rather than decrease.
I'm somewhat disappointed the folks in Slate didn't figure this out. It rather casts doubt on everything I've read in the "Explainer" column because it's common knowledge to fans.
My 1st husband was an airline pilot, and he used chewless tobacco. My guess is he did so for the aid in alertness.
Utterly disgusting addiction, however!