Doping In Baseball - Research Paper Example

Doping in Basketball Doping can be defined as illegal usage of performance enhancer drugs by players or athletes in order to enhance their performance at different plays in which, they participate. The doping substances that are used by players are anabolic steroids, erythropoietin (EPO) and many others like them. In games and sports that are played on higher levels such as national or international level, the organizations that are responsible for arranging sport events ensure that the players or athletes are not involved in taking performance enhancing drugs for their performance improvement. For this purpose, they held various tests for assessing any drug usage by the athletes. Baseball is regarded as one of the most famous games and is played on interregional, national or international levels due to which, doping is seen as a demoralizing agent for the players of the sport. Through news briefings and reporting, it is quite explicit that baseball players like other players of other sports are involved in doping. Usage of performance improvement drugs is forbidden in baseball like other sports and there are strict legalizations for such attempts. However, still players use these drugs in order to compete in matches. Doping is regarded as an unethical and dishonest activity performed by players in order to compete in a match. The sports organizations have structured stringent rules and regulations for athletes involved in the offense of doping. Gifford (2004) regards doping as a cheating done by players. Doping is considered advantageous by the players while the medical practitioners regard it as a threat to the health of public. It is reported by World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) that enough reforms pertaining doping are not put into action by Major League Baseball (MBL) and the Players Association (MLBPA) (World Anti-doping Agency 2008). Council of Europe regards doping of athletes as a condemning act and considers its usage highly demoralizing for the ethical and moral values of the sports as a whole and humanity dignity (Council of Europe 1979). Doping is the use of drugs unfairly. Because of doping, illicit substances are taken in order to enhance the performance capability of the users through non-natural means (Council of Europe 1979). With the passage of time, much consideration is given towards the issue of doping in the baseball games. For controlling doping by players of baseball, drug testing is encouraged by the authorities so that a fair play is there for the spectators. Also health issues are there because of doping by players due to which, they face adverse implications concerning their health. It is reported that for the game of baseball, drug testing is highly supported and this support is gaining reputation day by day (Baseballdeworld.com 2009). Gifford (2004) brings many cases about baseball players and other athletes in the forefront in his article, “Cheating Athletes”. Barry Bonds is one of those players who has gained fame and reputation in the field of baseball and is regarded with great respect. Gifford (2004) reports that Barry Bonds is accused of doping and taking drugs for the improvement of his performance but his usage of drugs has not been made public. Gifford (2004) informs that Barry Bonds may have escaped any reprimand or legal action by authorities because till 2003, the baseball game was played with no actions concerning doping and many harmful drugs were not even included in the list banned by authorities. Gifford (2004) informs that nearly half of the players of baseball are involved in taking steroids. This high ratio indicates the extremity of doping in relation to the game of baseball. Baseball is a game that requires high strength and physical fitness in order to appear prominent in the game. Players take drugs in order to improve their performance and also for improving their strength so that they can appear better in the play. George Mitchell, the US senator reports that drug usage and doping is not new for the players of baseball and also that, they are involved in employing steroids for performance enhancement for nearly ten years (VOA Sports 2007). He further informs that besides the usage of illegal drugs for cheating in games, there are compassionate laws and policies regarding drug users (VOA Sports 2007). According to George Mitchell, baseball players use drugs in form of steroids as a necessity for their play and also that they are not harshly reprimanded for their illegal drug taking practices. The usage of steroids or doping is considered a cheating or immoral act because on its basis, one can get lead over some other athlete not on the basis of his/her efficiency and capability but because of the use of drugs (Council of Europe 1979). Therefore, there are laws created for the restriction of usage of drugs and steroids by players of baseball as well as other sports. There are strict penalties for the drug or steroid users. The baseball game is regarded as less strict in terms of implementation of punishment to the offender of law but there are testing programs for the players of baseball players that ensure whether the player is a user of steroids or drugs or not. These tests are required to be made better and more effective (World Anti-doping Agency 2008). Because of doping, the athletic performance and stamina of the baseball players is enhanced due to which, they are able to perform better and for a long time. This can be said straightforwardly that because of drug usage of doping, the reputation of players is affected negatively. Baseball is regarded as a reputed sport and people are fond of it but due to the revelation that the players use steroids and drugs in order to enhance their performance, their reputation is influenced adversely (Baseballdeworld.com 2009). The baseball authorities are required to make sure that the players stay away from any illegal activity such as drug usage of steroids’ usage as it is highly condemnable and by taking steroids or drugs, the players become guilty in the eyes of the law and even their own eyes. The victory or accomplishment, which they receive on the basis of their drug usage or steroids usage, is not so encouraging for them or their health. Hence, it is quite explicit that doping is gaining fame in the sport of baseball day by day and precautionary measures are required in order to keep the spirit of this sport alive. People keep high expectations with their players and give high respects to their favorite players but they listen about illicit acts of their heroes, they are hurt emotionally. With the erroneous practice done by the players of baseball, not only the spectators are affected negatively but also those players who are interested in playing fair games. Doping is a common practice done by players of baseball. This practice needs to be checked harshly and the abusers are required to be punished. The authorities are required to make severe laws and to take actions against the offenders in order to maintain the vigor of the play. Drug testing is a fruitful action taken by authorities but further effective steps are required to be taken. Works Cited Baseballdeworld.com. International Baseball Federation Introduces New Anti-doping Manager. (2009). Accessed on 15th June 2009 from http://baseballdeworld.com/2009/01/international-baseball-federation-introduces-new-anti-doping-manager/ Council of Europe. Recommendation No. R (79) 8 of the Committee of Ministers to Member States Concerning Doping in Sport. (1979). Accessed on 15th June 2009 from https://wcd.coe.int/com.instranet.InstraServlet?command=com.instranet.CmdBlobGet&InstranetImage=597478&SecMode=1&DocId=664468&Usage=2 Gifford, Bill. Cheating Athletes: Who dopes, why they Dope, and who it hurts. 2004. Accessed on 15th June 2009 from http://www.slate.com/id/2110902/ VOA Sports. Mitchell Outlines Decade of Doping in Baseball. Washington, 2007. Accessed on 15th June 2009 from http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-12/2007-12-13-voa61.cfm?moddate=2007-12-13 World Anti-doping Agency. WADA Criticizes MLB and Union for Continued Evasion of Anti-doping Reform. 2008. Accessed on 15th June 2009 from http://www.wada-ama.org/en/newsarticle.ch2?articleId=3115571 Read More