San Francisco starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) puts some chewing tobacco in his mouth during the 11th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates in their MLB National League baseball game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum knew he needed to shed some unwanted pounds before spring training, prompting him to drop 22 pounds. But it wasn't just diet and exercise; Lincecum had to give up his vice: McDonald's and fast food. Reuters

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) declined comment on Wednesday on a call by U.S. senators to ban tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, from the game.

With the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers set to start on Wednesday, a spokesman for the players' group said the question of tobacco was included in talks over a new players' contract.

Given that the issue is the subject of collective bargaining and those negotiations are currently under way, the MLBPA believes it would be inappropriate to comment at this time, a spokesman said.

The current accord runs out in December. Use of smokeless tobacco is common in big league baseball.

Four Democratic senators -- Dick Durbin of Illinois, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey -- sent a letter to the MLBPA on Tuesday urging the group to ban the use of all tobacco products on the field, in the dugout and in the locker room.

A ban would send a strong message to young baseball fans, who look toward the players as role models, that tobacco use is not essential to the sport of baseball, said a copy of the letter on Durbin's website.

As part of the contract talks, Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig has said he will propose smokeless tobacco restrictions at the big league level similar to those in place in minor leagues, where smokeless tobacco is banned in ballparks.

New Jersey Major league baseball New Jersey Major league baseball