User:Jad bby/Steroid Use in Baseball

Steroid Use in Baseball Jessica Davis English 11 Mrs. Shriner 12 November 2008 Steroid Use in Baseball Thesis: Many of the steroid scandals of a few years back would not happen today because of the increase in general knowledge about steroids, the new MLB policy regarding steroid use, and the increase in information about steroids and their effect on the human body. I.	What is a steroid and how do you use them II. Increase in knowledge A.	People know what a steroid is B.	People know the type of steroids 1.	anabolic 2.	catabolic C.	more stats available D.	Reports when use discovered III. New MLB policy A.	What is MLB B.	What is the new policy 1.	penalties 2.	if use continues IV. information on effects A.	effects on men and women B.	internal effects 1.	liver 2.	kidneys 3.	cardiovascular system 4.	immune system 5.	reproductive system 6.	musculoskeletal system 7.	the skull C.	external effects 1.	the skin 2.	the shoulders and arms 3.	the chest 4.	the breasts 5.	the abdominals 6.	the testicles 7.	the knees D.	psychological effects and side effects 1.	mood swings 2.	sleep disruption 3.	increased aggression 4.	impaired judgment 5.	depression and suicidal behavior V.	conclusion Steroid Use in Baseball A steroid is a hormone like substance. There are two types of steroid, anabolic and catabolic. Anabolic steroids are those that are related to testosterone (LeVert 10). These are the performance enhancing steroids. Catabolic steroids are those prescribed by physicians to reduce swelling, fever, and other symptoms of inflammation (LeVert 10). These are the medical steroids. There are countless numbers of cases of steroid use in Major League Baseball’s history. In recent years steroid use has come to the public’s attention more often, causing the public to search for information on the topic. Therefore, many of the steroid scandals of a few years back would not happen today because of the increase in general knowledge about steroids, the new MLB policy regarding steroid use, and the increase in information about steroids and their effect on the human body. Since more people are searching for information on steroids there is an increase in the public’s knowledge about steroids. More people know what a steroid is. With the wealth of information available more people know the difference in the kinds of steroids. They know the difference between anabolic and catabolic steroids. News sites and baseball sites are releasing statistics more often as a result of the demand for them. Did you know that in a 2004 New York Times article it revealed that five to seven percent of professional baseball players were on steroids in 2003 (LeVert 8). Recently Major league baseball (MLB) has started making a big deal whenever steroid use is discovered. It is this discouraging behavior that causes the public to take interest in steroid scandals. MLB is the highest level of play in North American Professional Baseball. It is composed of 30 teams. Each season consists of 162 games, beginning in April and ending in October. MLB is controlled by the Major League Baseball Constitution. MLB hires and maintains the sports umpiring crews, and negotiating marketing labor, and television contracts. MLB is divided into two leagues, the American league and the national team. The American team consists of 14 teams, while the national league consists of 16 teams. Each league is further divided into three divisions, east, central, and west. The leagues meet at the end of the season for the World Series. As a result of the BALCO scandal MLB has implemented a new steroid policy. The BLACO scandal involved BALCO allegedly distributing steroids to many players including Barry Bonds. The new policy states that players are to be tested once a year with the chance that several players could be tested more than once a year. The policy also states the consequences for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth offense. The first positive test results in a 10 game suspension. The second positive test results in a 30 game suspension. The third positive test results in a 60 game suspension. The fourth positive test results in a one year suspension. The fifth positive test results in a penalty at the commissioner’s discretion. (Banned) Works Cited “BALCO Scandal.” Wikipedia.org. 2008. Wikimedia Foundation. 14 November 2008. . “Banned Substances in Baseball.” Wikipedia.org. 2006. Wikimedia Foundation. 15 October 2008. . Bryant, Howard. Juicing the Game: Drugs, Power, and the Fight for the Soul of Baseball. New York: Plume, 2006. Carroll, Will. The Juice: the Real Story of Baseball’s Drug Problems. Chicago: Dee, 2005. LeVert, Suzanne. Drugs: The Facts About Steroids. Tarrytown: Marshall Cavendish, 2005. “Major League Baseball.” Wikipedia.org. 2008. Wikimedia Foundation. 15 October 2008. .