WASHINGTON (AP) – Two Senate Democrats are urging Major League Baseball and the players union to ban smokeless tobacco, such as chew and dip.

New Jersey Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said in letters Tuesday that the product endangers players’ health and “sends a dangerous message” to young fans.

They urged Bud Selig, the baseball commissioner, and Michael Weiner, the head of the union, to agree to a ban in the next collective bargaining agreement. The current one expires in December.

Smokeless tobacco is already banned in the minor leagues but not in the majors, where players and managers often can be seen using products during games or carrying a tin of dip in a back pocket.

Neither MLB nor the union had an immediate comment.

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