New Baseball steroid testing and punishment??

[Cbear]

I caught the tail end of a report about Congress and baseball. Congressman Henry Waxman was railing about baseball and steroids with comments that its time for change. There was a crawl below that said 50 game suspension for 1st offense, not sure what 2nd, lifetime ban for 3rd offense. I wasn't sure if this was what Congress is proposing, or baseball is considering in hopes of shutting up Congress.

Has anyone heard more on this and what the facts are?

[BruceLee]

I caught the tail end of a report about Congress and baseball. Congressman Henry Waxman was railing about baseball and steroids with comments that its time for change. There was a crawl below that said 50 game suspension for 1st offense, not sure what 2nd, lifetime ban for 3rd offense. I wasn't sure if this was what Congress is proposing, or baseball is considering in hopes of shutting up Congress.

Has anyone heard more on this and what the facts are?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/baseball/mlb/11/15/steroids.policy.ap/index.html

The agreement still has to be ratified by the playes assoication and the owners. But in principal it's the owners and players who came up with this agreement, so it should be a pretty smooth process.

50 games sounds like alot but remember they play 162 games a season, so it's less than 33% of the season. In NFL terms that would be about a 5 game suspension which is in line with NFL policy. 3 strikes and your out seems like the lifetime ban that basketball had for hard drug abusers.

I guess it's a step in the right direction as baseball tries to restore it's credibility.

[ACIDBATHBELFORT]

Masking agents!!!!! The users will always be one step ahead. Athletes have always found any advantage and will continue. Good effort though by baseball, but thats only because of the threat of congress intervening.

[gunslinger]

I think the first offense should be a lifetime ban to protect the players that dont use and the records. Its only fair. how are baseball players so fat and yet so good?that white sox pitcher is damn good but he has a huge tub of a gut.

[Nice ol' Rat]

Hide the women and children! Steroids are coming ahhhhh! I ****in' hate society. Steroids when used responsibly doesn't hurt anyone including the user. Watch Reefer Madness, then substiture 'steroids' in for 'marijuana' and you have contemporary society.

[gunslinger]

steroids are enhancing, were as weed is to say the least, is not... I think getting tittys and little nuts is punishment, but it isn't fair in baseball because very little skill is involved, unless your out in the field.go ahead and say whatever, but I doubt they need to train all day to hit a ball and run a line.

[Nice ol' Rat]

steroids are enhancing, were as weed is to say the least, is not... I think getting tittys and little nuts is punishment, but it isn't fair in baseball because very little skill is involved, unless your out in the field.go ahead and say whatever, but I doubt they need to train all day to hit a ball and run a line.

You don't think hitting major league pitching is a highly skilled action?

[gunslinger]

highly skilled compared to what other sport?

[robbypark]

Although I don't necessitate the use of steroids, hitting a baseball from a Major League pitcher is fundamentally the hardest thing to do in sports. There is no question about it.

[Nice ol' Rat]

highly skilled compared to what other sport?

Highly skilled vs. anything. Don't believe me, go down to your closest minor league team, and approach one of their pitchers and ask if you can take a few cuts against him, and tell him to throw his best stuff at you. At best you may foul a couple off, but more than likely you'll be chopping at air.

I think it's the second hardest skill in all of sports right behind in tennis trying to return a 130+ mph serve back into play.

[gunslinger]

I play tennis, its more fun then hard.Off the rythm it is rather easy to return a shot, and slicing a serve is a better approach. I think all sports on a professional level better be hard.Iam not saying that anyone can go in and play baseball on a professional level, I just dont concider baseball one of the most demanding sports because it isn't.