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Solving the Steroid Issue in Baseball
The Prometheus Institute ^ | 4/7/2008 | Justin Hartfield

Posted on 03/07/2008 9:16:38 AM PST by tang0r

Even though scientists have proven that a corked bat does not help a player hit the ball further, and may even be less effective than a traditional bat, corked bats are still banned by MLB. All this ban is doing is reinforcing in the players minds that a corked bat must provide an additional edge- otherwise why else would it be banned? This same mentality is what motivates some players to use steroids. Interestingly, it is also found in proponents of the War on Drugs. The supporters of the War on Drugs, like MLB, have good intentions. They want to ban a substance that is known to have detrimental effects on its users. But what they fail to realize is that by banning the substance altogether it creates a perpetual black market-- people will always be attracted to that which is forbidden.

The only acceptable approach is to stop testing (decriminalize) players for foreign substances. If the player is wiling to risk his long-term health for the sake of possibly playing professional baseball, we, as a society, should let them. I take the clause “pursuit of happiness” quite seriously. Even though that’s not my own personal happiness, I have no right to inflict my morality on him.

(Excerpt) Read more at theprometheusinstitute.org ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: baseball; legalization; steroids
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1 posted on 03/07/2008 9:16:39 AM PST by tang0r
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To: tang0r

The best cure for baseball is to have the Toronto Blue Jays as your hometown team.


2 posted on 03/07/2008 9:18:52 AM PST by Appleby
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To: tang0r

Here’s an even better solution. If you love baseball, turn off the tv and grab a bat and ball and go play with a kid.


3 posted on 03/07/2008 9:18:56 AM PST by DManA
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To: tang0r
They want to ban a substance that is known to have detrimental effects on its users. But what they fail to realize is that by banning the substance altogether it creates a perpetual black market-- people will always be attracted to that which is forbidden.

Let's remove the law on murder then.

4 posted on 03/07/2008 9:19:32 AM PST by frogjerk (Freepers are beta-testers for the MSM)
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To: DManA

you just hit a grand slam, FRiend!


5 posted on 03/07/2008 9:20:50 AM PST by NonValueAdded (Who Would Montgomery Brewster Choose?)
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To: tang0r

Level the playing field by having no testing and no penalties for steroid use. Let these freaks mash 100 home runs a year or strikeout 500 batters a season. The fans will love it and the players will get richer in the process. A few years down the road, when future players see the negative health effects of rampant steroid use suffered by today’s players after they have retired, use may curtail somewhat. If it doesn’t at least the fans will get to see freakish statistics as a result of a game that condones a win at all costs mentality.


6 posted on 03/07/2008 9:29:05 AM PST by ConservaTexan (February 6, 1911)
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To: tang0r
Even though scientists have proven that a corked bat does not help a player hit the ball further . . .

A corked bat isn't intended to help a player hit the ball further. Its purpose is to improve a player's bat speed -- or (in the case of an aging veteran like Sammy Sosa) help ward off the inevitable slowing of a player's swing as he ages.

7 posted on 03/07/2008 9:30:10 AM PST by Alberta's Child (I'm out on the outskirts of nowhere . . . with ghosts on my trail, chasing me there.)
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To: tang0r

This guy is an idiot. Written like a junior high school term paper...


8 posted on 03/07/2008 9:43:01 AM PST by detch
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To: tang0r
hey want to ban a substance that is known to have detrimental effects on its users.

They should ban anything that rewards unhealthy behavior and penalizes healthy behavior.Using drugs that are unhealthy rewards bad behavior by giving them an unfair advantage over those who do not use the drugs because they don't want to damage their health.

9 posted on 03/07/2008 10:00:51 AM PST by mjp (Live & let live. I don't want to live in Mexico, Marxico, or Muslimico. Statism & high taxes suck)
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To: mjp

If steroisds damage their health then why is their ability improved. So sick men have better ability? Look,all football players ( look how big they are) use steroids. And most baseball players use steroids. They are not any less healthy than the general population. the liberal media says everything will kill you and everyone buys those lies.


10 posted on 03/07/2008 10:14:22 AM PST by rurgan (socialism doesn't work. Government is the problem not the solution to our problems.)
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To: mjp

If steroids damage their health then why is their ability improved? So sick men have better ability? Look,all football players ( look how big they are) use steroids. And most baseball players use steroids. They are not any less healthy than the general population. The liberal mainstream media says everything will kill you and everyone buys those lies.


11 posted on 03/07/2008 10:17:41 AM PST by rurgan (socialism doesn't work. Government is the problem not the solution to our problems.)
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To: rurgan

“If steroids damage their health then why is their ability improved?”Good question.Initially steroids will increase muscle size,endurance,etc....The downside:Many users combine(aka stack)several performance enhancing drugs(steroids,HGH,insulin,amphetimines,etc)thereby stressing the liver and kidneys.The effects are cumulative and while a player may appear more healthy,the damage is done.The results show up later in life-increased incidence of kidney failure,liver failure,stroke,heart attack,osteoperosis.....Later:)


12 posted on 03/07/2008 10:40:59 AM PST by Thombo2
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To: DManA

Just what exactly do you mean by “go play with a kid.”?


13 posted on 03/07/2008 10:45:44 AM PST by Wally_Kalbacken (Seldom right but never in doubt)
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To: tang0r

“...I have no right to inflict my morality on him.”

By permitting athletes to use harmful drugs, we essentially permit those athletes who wish to use the drugs to inflict their morality (or lack thereof) on those players who don’t want to use the drugs, but who must nonetheless compete against the druggies.

If any athlete may use harmful performance-enhancing drugs, then all athletes will ultimately use them, if for no other reason than that those who refuse will likely be unable to compete.


14 posted on 03/07/2008 10:46:29 AM PST by sitetest (If Roe is not overturned, no unborn child will ever be protected in law.)
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To: Thombo2

And your proof to that assertion is where?

Show proof that these older football players or baseball players are having more problems than the general population. FYI men as they get older tend to have liver, kidney, heart failure etc. FYI everyone dies sooner or later: someone should tell the government and the media that.


15 posted on 03/07/2008 11:15:36 AM PST by rurgan (socialism doesn't work. Government is the problem not the solution to our problems.)
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To: Thombo2

And your proof to that assertion is where?

Show proof that these older football players or baseball players are having more problems than the general population. FYI men as they get older tend to have liver, kidney, heart failure etc. FYI everyone dies sooner or later: someone should tell the government and the media that.

Al Beckles is a bodybuilder who was born in 1930. How old is Swarzenneger and all his pals like Lou Ferrigno, Fanco Columbo etc.?. What’s wrong with their health? They all did massive amounts of steroids and are healthy.


16 posted on 03/07/2008 11:18:20 AM PST by rurgan (socialism doesn't work. Government is the problem not the solution to our problems.)
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To: Thombo2
And your proof to that assertion is where? Show proof that these older football players or baseball players are having more problems than the general population. FYI men as they get older tend to have liver, kidney, heart failure etc. FYI everyone dies sooner or later: someone should tell the government and the media that.

Al Beckles is a bodybuilder who was born in 1930.

beckles

How old is Swarzenneger and all his pals like Lou Ferrigno, Fanco Columbo etc.?. What's wrong with their health? They all did massive amounts of steroids and are healthy.

Why not let those that want to kill themsvles do it? Why should we increase government power to supposedely save people from themselves?

17 posted on 03/07/2008 11:23:38 AM PST by rurgan (socialism doesn't work. Government is the problem not the solution to our problems.)
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To: Wally_Kalbacken

Sad sad world we live in.


18 posted on 03/07/2008 11:30:37 AM PST by DManA
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To: rurgan

I’ll be “civil” and state i think your uninformed.I reccomend you do some research re:the effects of steroids.Lots of reputable research out there.Your arguement is disengenuous at best.You sound very “worked up” about my comment.Do we have an issue?


19 posted on 03/07/2008 11:43:55 AM PST by Thombo2
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To: tang0r

Why don’t we let the market solve the problem? Don’t like arrogant, ‘Roided out baseall players? Don’t go. Don’t buy their stuff. When baseball loses enough money, THEY will solve the problem.


20 posted on 03/07/2008 11:49:01 AM PST by Republic of Texas (Socialism Always Fails)
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