COLUMBIA, MO. -- St. Louis Cardinal Fans are anxiously awaiting the first pitch of this year’s World Series.

Four United States Senators and health officials from St. Louis and Texas are urging the baseball players union to hide their chew during the fall classic.

They want to ban chewing tobacco at the World Series games and on camera.

Supporters of the chewing tobacco ban at this year’s World Series say when baseball players use smokeless tobacco, they endanger not only their own health but also the health of millions of children who follow their example.  Members of the American Cancer Society agree.

Millions of people will be watching the Cardinals and the Rangers battle it out during the World Series, including children.  Some government officials and public health groups want baseball players to agree to a tobacco ban in their next contract.  They said that would make Major League Baseball players better role models for our youth.

American Cancer Society Spokeswoman Misty Snodgrass said, “Every young boy idolizes in his youth the baseball players that he supports.  We believe that they are very, very influential, especially on this issue.  If they see them using smokeless tobacco, they may be inclined to do so as well.”

Some baseball players support the ban on smokeless tobacco while others say the ban would be an infringement on their freedom.

Snodgrass said, “Players cannot smoke while being in uniform.  They can’t drink alcohol in the presence of others.  Most Major League Baseball teams have actually banned alcohol from the clubhouse.  These policies are already being instituted in Major League Baseball.  This is just one more step for public health and so that youth don’t ever start this habit.”

Officials with the Centers for Disease Control said smokeless tobacco can cause cancer, oral health problems and nicotine addiction.

A 2009 CDC survey shows 15% of high school boys used smokeless tobacco.