A United States law maker is questioning whether Major League Baseball players are circumventing the ban against amphetamines by claiming to have ADD and taking the drugs that are prescribed the treat the condition. Some law makers believe that the MLB must be more committed to paying attention to trends that may be allowing players to take drugs under some sort of medical needs guise. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform found that exemptions for therapeutic drug use have risen significantly over the years. In fact, in a matter of one year, between 2006 and 2007, the number of exemptions grew from 35 to 111. In 2006, 28 of these exemptions were for Ritalin or Adderall. In 2007, 103 of the exemptions were.

It is jumps like these and the obvious sudden favor of a particular drug that should alert the MLB. There should at least be some consideration that a particular drug may be being used to legally use a banned substance. Law makers are asking the MLB to close the loophole that therapeutic exemptions allow.

I for one, think that the baseball steroid scandal is pretty ridiculous. All of the money that is being used to investigate who lied about what, when taking steroids weren’t even illegal or against the rules is criminal. With what is going on in our world and in our country, that money could be much better spent somewhere else.

I do, however, believe that these therapeutic exemptions are a bit ridiculous and I suspect that the MLB does as well. It appears that they were turning a blind eye to an obvious abuse of the rules. It seems a little unbelievable that nearly 93% of the exemptions in 2006 were all for the same drug. It seems that at the very least, some medical organization should have been called in to investigate such an obvious cluster. There should have been some studies performed to test the connection between ADD and baseball. To me, this shows an obvious disinterest in really eliminating the steroid problem by the league. Sure, since there is so much publicity and with the government involved, the MLB has to put on a song and dance, but I think that most people believe that individuals at the top, have until very, been unconcerned about steroids. The big hits and homeruns were exciting and they brought the fans in. Hey, “chicks love the long ball,” remember?

In response to the scrutiny and risk of government sanction, they are doing what they have to do to appease the public, who I really believe could care less, and the government. But these loopholes really make them look bad, especially when it becomes obvious that the players are taking advantage of them.

The MLB will have to make some tough decisions and finally commit to really eradicating steroids from the game. It will start with a real effort to stop the shenanigans. There should be a specialized committee formed that works full time to spot trends, investigate them and put an end to any abuse of the rules. Until then, the MLB will do what it has to do and tap dance until the heat cools and the spotlight is diminishes. Let’s hope they get serious. Steroids are dangerous, as is evidenced by the substantial number of deaths and suicides in the wresting industry, and in the end no one really wins. So here is to baseball and to a hope that the MLB will make a real commitment to cleaning up the game and saving player’s lives.

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