Blackmon says he can't follow proposed rule: 'I'm 100% gonna spit'

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon isn't ready to accept that spitting, smokeless tobacco, and sunflower seeds might not be part of the 2020 MLB season due to the league's proposed player-safety protocols.

"I'm 100% gonna spit," the All-Star said, according to Stephanie Apstein of Sports Illustrated. "That's ingrained in my playing the game. Whether or not I'm dipping or chewing gum, I'm still gonna spit. I have to occupy my mind. It's like putting things on autopilot. You see it like with Hunter Pence, where he would constantly be adjusting his uniform.

"I don't have this idle time where my consciousness wanders. I fill my time with thought processes that are like a cruise control."

Blackmon isn't the only major leaguer to voice concerns about spitting, smokeless tobacco, and sunflower seeds potentially being prohibited in restricted areas. San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler said last week that giving up spitting would be a "tremendous challenge."

Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki acknowledged in mid-April that MLB would have a tough time policing spitting and face-touching.

The Korean Baseball Organization, which started its season amid the coronavirus pandemic, adopted a rule that prohibits spitting. The league has yet to deal with any positive virus cases since beginning in early May.