Do Baseball Players Pee On Their Hands?
We all know that baseball players are a superstitious bunch. But did you know that some of them believe that peeing on their hands can help them get a better grip on the bat?
Introduction
At some point during your baseball career, you may have heard a teammate or coach say that batting gloves help them grip the bat better. And, for anyone who has seen a professional game, you know that most players wear batting gloves when they are up to bat. But have you ever wondered if there is more to it than just getting a better grip? Like, do baseball players pee on their hands?
The answer is…maybe. Although there is no concrete evidence that any player does this, there is a theory as to why someone might consider trying it. Urine contains urea, which is a substance that can soften calluses and help prevent blisters. And since batters typically get a lot of blisters on their hands from all the hitting, it would make sense that they would want to do everything they can to prevent them.
So, while we cannot say for sure that any player has urinated on their hands to prevent blisters, it is definitely something that has been considered by at least some people in the game.
What baseball players say
Some baseball players say that they do indeed pee on their hands to keep them from drying out and cracking. The high salt content is said to help keep the skin from drying out, and the urea in urine is also a known moisturizer. In addition, some players say that the ammonia in urine helps to harden the calluses on their hands, making them less susceptible to cuts and abrasions.
What the science says
The science on whether or not baseball players pee on their hands is pretty inconclusive. There are some who say that the nitrogen in urine can help toughen skin, while others say that there’s no evidence to support that claim. However, most experts agree that if baseball players do indeed pee on their hands, it’s probably more for psychological reasons than anything else.
Some players may believe that urinating on their hands will make them tougher and less likely to feel pain, but there’s no concrete evidence to support this. In fact, urinating on your hands can actually lead to skin irritation and infections. So while the science is still up in the air, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and not pee on your hands before a big game.
Conclusions
After surveying a variety of players and doing some further research, it seems that there is no definitive answer to this question. Some players claim to do it, some say they don’t, and others say that it depends on the situation. While there is no clear evidence that all or most players pee on their hands, it does seem to be a common practice among some.