Psychology

Steroid usage was not a common practice in the baseball game prior to 2004 and testing was not carried out until 2001 during the Major League Baseball. Players in the baseball game have continuously surfaced to claim that they have at a point in the past used performance enhancement drugs. These include steroids and hormone testerones. While steroids have received a lot of attention in many other games and recently surfaced as an area of interest in baseball, this paper argues that the effects of the practice of steroid usage are not only negative to the users but they also damage the image of the game hence  the practice must be discouraged at all costs.

This paper is an attempt to justify the banning of steroid use in baseball and further encourage a concerted effort in the fight against the use of enhancements in the game. To achieve this objective, the paper identifies three players and endeavors to critically assess the impact of the practice of taking steroids or enhancements on the players both physically and otherwise.

Questions
4. Identify 3 baseball players that have been accused of steroid or enhancing performance drugs.
Many players have been implicated in the use of enhancements and substances to gain advantage in the game over others. However, some are accorded lenience given that they used the drugs at a time when they were not considered illegal. Barry Bonds, for instance, was implicated in the BALCO scandal for using performance enhancements. He holds record as the all-time home run leader and by 2007 also held best record as all-time leader in walks although Bonds admitted that he received the substances from his personal trainer, it was neither clear what type they were. They are generally mentioned to be steroids even though he was not penalized as these substances were yet to be illegalized then. Sammy Sosa was accused of using anabolic steroids. Prior to the use of the substances, Sammy was known just as a skinny player but he developed muscles extensively after continued and his performance improved (Roberts 2008). The accusation had negative impact on his reputation that even prompted him to attempt to get back his fans.  McGwire was also accused of using steroids which boost testosterone levels and produce capability of extra energy in the users.

c. What are the banned substances in baseball
Baseball players are not allowed to be involved in the sale, facilitation of sale, to be in possession or to use some substances which are considered to give the player an advantage over other players (Alejo 2009). These could be stimulants, steroids or prohormones, substances of abuse. In addition, Major League Baseball considers all substances highlighted under the Controlled Substances Act Schedule II to constitute banned substances in baseball under the Major League Baseball drug policy. These substances include marijuana, LSD, PCP, all opiates such as morphine and heroine, cocaine. This group constitutes substances considered as substances of abuse. The list of all banned substances is vast though the paper can accommodate just a few in listing. Steroids banned in baseball include methandriol, Androstenediol and bolasterone among others steroids. Stimulants like Dimethylamphetamine are banned.

d. Why doesnt baseball ban androstenedione but almost ALL other athletic organizations do How does it change baseball
The effect of androstenedione on players is the same whether the player is a baseball player, in bodybuilding or athlete. Although muscle bulk is very important for a baseball player, baseball has had a long history and belief that good players will just play well even if androstenedione was used or not (NYT 2010). The substance was not banned until recently. This has had great negative affect on the game especially its reputation. Baseball must therefore take time to recover its full glory.