Drug Testing Policy

If you followed the news lately, you've undoubtedly heard of the new drug testing policy MLB. Even if you've heard of the policy you might not understand the specific implications of the policy and how it may affect your favorite players and teams.

The new policy was prompted by the threat of Congressional legislation. Under the policy tougher penalties for steroid use are implemented. Under the new policy actors need to be tested during training camp with at least one additional test during the regular season in addition to being subjected to random testing throughout the regular season.

Under the previous policy, penalties were much less severe. For example, for a first offense a player would be suspended for 10 days and 30 days for a second offense. A third offense rates of a suspension of 60 days. The new policy calls for a suspension to 50 games for the first offense and a misdemeanor 100 games for the second offense. For a third offense the player will receive a lifetime ban. In addition, after the first offense, the player will be tested for amphetamines as well as tests for steroids. This is the first time the problem of amphetamine use has been addressed by a policy of MLB. Under the old policy a player can not receive a lifetime ban until it was hit with at least a fifth offense.

Under the policy of the previous test was also conducted on a much less frequent. Tests were conducted at the beginning of training camp without further testing through the regular season other than random testing. Under this policy, it was quite possible for a player to be tested only once since the start of training throughout the spring season.

The policy states that players who tested positive for steroids last year with the new policy taking affect would be treated as first offenders under the new policy if they should test positive again.

It should be noted that if a player is banned for life after a third offense under the new policy, a player may request permission to return to the game two years after receiving the ban. An independent arbitrator can be assigned for the consideration of the Commissioner's decision in this case.

The policy also takes a stab at possession of illegal steroid use, in addition to using illegal steroids. Players convicted for possession of illegal steroids are subject to a suspension of 60-80 games for the first offense and 120 games for one year for a second offense. A lifetime ban is on the table for a third offense. Players who are convicted of steroid distribution face tougher suspensions for the first offense and are subject to a lifetime ban after the first offense.

The penalties for amphetamine use are slightly less severe than for steroid use. Mandatory testing of monitoring is dictated for the first offense with a 25 game suspension for second offense. A stay 80 game will be given for the third positive test and the fourth offense the penalty is left to the Commissioner, which could include a lifetime ban.