MLB, MLBPA agree to enhance joint drug program
http://0rz.tw/OFBNG
More frequent testing, increased suspensions part of new agreement
By Paul Hagen / MLB.com | 3/28/2014 7:51 P.M. ET
Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association agreed
Friday on significant enhancements to the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment
Program, including more frequent testing and harsher penalties for players who
intentionally use performance-enhancing substances.
The changes are the most extensive since 2006 and come just more than a year
after MLB and the MLBPA added blood testing for human growth hormone, extended
testing to the offseason and established a baseline for testosterone levels at
the Owners Meetings in January 2013.
"Although we had the strongest program in professional sports before these
changes, I am committed to constantly finding ways to improve the program in
order to eradicate performance-enhancing drugs from the game and for MLB to
serve as a model for other drug programs," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a
statement. "I want to express my appreciation to the players for being
proactive and showing remarkable leadership in producing the new agreement. I
commend them for both their foresight and their creativity throughout this
process, and for strongly sharing our desire to improve what is already the
toughest drug program in sports."
Said Tony Clark, executive director of the Players Association: "Experience
proves that increased penalties alone are not sufficient; that's why the players
pushed for a dramatic increase in the frequency and sophistication of our tests
, as well as comprehensive changes in a number of other areas of the program
that will serve as a deterrent. Make no mistake, this agreement underscores the
undisputed reality that the players put forward many of the most significant
changes reached in these negotiations because they want a fair and clean game."
The revisions address three primary areas:
INCREASED TESTING
Beginning immediately, the number of in-season random urine collections will
more than double from 1,400 to 3,200 and the frequency of offseason collections
has been raised from 250 to 350. That's in addition to the mandatory tests that
every player undergoes during Spring Training and the regular season.
Blood collections for HGH detection, already the most thorough in American
professional sports, will increase to 400 both in and out of season. Again,
that's in addition to the 1,200 samples taken in Spring Training.
Any player who's suspended for violating the program will be subject to six
additional urine tests and three additional blood tests per season for the rest
of his career.
The list of banned substances has been expanded. Use of DHEA in 2014 will
result in follow-up testing for a first violation; a 25-game suspension for a
second violation; an 80-game suspension for a third violation; and up to a
permanent suspension for a fourth violation. MLB and the MLBPA are still
finalizing other additions to the prohibited substance list, which are expected
to be completed by next week.
Carbon Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) will be randomly performed on at
least one specimen from every player in addition to any IRMS test that the
Montreal laboratory conducts as a result of the parties' longitudinal profiling
program (which was implemented prior to the 2013 season) and the World
Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines for conducting IRMS.
PENALTIES
A first-time offender will receive an 80-game suspension, up from the previous
50 games. A second violation will result in a 162-game suspension and a loss of
an entire season (183 days) of pay, up from 100 games. A third violation will
lead to permanent banishment.
Any player disciplined for a violation involving performance-enhancing
substances will not be allowed to participate in the postseason and will not be
eligible for an automatic playoff share.
PLAYER BENEFITS
The Arbitration Panel has been given the right to reduce a player's suspension
if he proves at a hearing that the use was not intended to improve his
performance.
The panel may not reduce the first-time penalty to fewer than 40 games, the
second offense to fewer than 80 games or change the permanent suspension for a
third-time violator at all. The panel will have no authority to reduce a
penalty if the positive test result was for testosterone; human growth hormone
(HGH); gonadotropins; selective estrogen receptor modulators; anti-estrogens,
boldenone; nandrolone; and stanozolol.
A program has been established which will give players year-round access to
supplements that will not cause positive test results as well as additional
technological resources to provide information regarding supplements and
prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Improvements will be made in both home and visitor's weight rooms based on
recommendations by a joint committee chaired by Tim Maxey, the Joint Strength
and Conditioning Coordinator.
The confidentiality provisions of the program also have been strengthened.
簡譯：
季中尿液收集樣本數量將增加至3200個，
過去只有1400個。
季後賽也將從250增加到350個，
這是除了春訓至正規賽季的強制性採樣以外多增加的數目。
原本官方為檢測HGH而採的血液樣本已經是美國所有職業運動中最多的。
這次季中與季外將增至400個，
也是除了春訓期間採的1200個樣本之外多增加的。
（HGH：人類生長激素）
被抓包過的球員往後職業生涯將被額外多測六種尿液與三種血液檢測。
禁用藥物也增加。
2014年開始，
使用DHEA被抓第一次會追加後續測試，
第二次禁25場，
第三次禁80場，
第四次終身禁賽。
其它追加藥種還在審核中預計下週公佈完整清單。
關於禁賽場次方面第一次會從過去50場追加到80場，
第二次從100場加到162場，
也包括整個球季的登錄天數183天都無法領到薪水。
（應該是針對A-Rod今年還是凹到3M而補洞）
第三次終身禁賽。
任何因牽涉禁藥遭到禁賽的球員將不被允許參加季後賽，
也無法支領季後賽分紅。
如果球員能證明自己非故意使用增強表現的藥物，
仲裁庭也給予他減刑的權利。
但仲裁庭沒有權限減少因以下幾種藥物而生的處分：
testosterone
human growth hormone
gonadotropins
selective estrogen receptor modulators
anti-estrogens
boldenone
nandrolone
stanozolol
球員將得到整年的時間補充額外的技術性資料以及提供資訊，
說明自己所用的處方或非處方藥物並不會導致陽性反應。