I'm not trying to spark any debates with this question.

But I'm sure everyone wants to know the answer to this question.

How heavy is the use of steroids in your organizations or around the leagues that you've noticed?

Now I know that minor league baseball has a strict policy on it, one of the best out there BUT we all know that it is present there, but to what extent?

I know a guy who was in the Dodgers Organization who told our team that he knew a few guys on his team that used steroids, and in fact that he used to inject his room mate with a steroid. He continued to tell us that he wouldn't never use them unless he could get his hands on HGH.

Ever since he told us about his experiences with this touchy subject I've always wondered how much useage is there in the minors and did it shock you to find out how frequently it is used?

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and give us some insight to the world of a minor league ball player, I for one am greatful that people are taking the time to share their stories withone another.

URKILLINGMEBLUE- Well my plan for the offseason is to keep in shape in any way possible, im taking about a week and half off to rest the body, then im getting a Gym membership and working out with my high school team also. . I prolly wont start throwing a lot again until late november. Then also there are some other players around here i will probably try to get up with. Other than that, just stay in shape.

Doc- Well the minor league policy is the same as the big league one, however, most of us arent willing to get into steroids due to the fact they make examples out of minor leaguers. I personally did not know anyone on steroids, lots on "greenies" but steroids no, a bunch of guys are trying to get HGH since TECHNICALLY its legal since there is no test for it, im not messing with any of that, i dont even take protein. But i did find out about some prominent big leaguers who are supposedly on them that i didnt think were. But im not naming names. I'll leave that up for you to decide.

AHS

Thanks for the insight, I didn't expect for you to name any names, that's totally understandable.

Nice to know your and your team mates thoughts though. Yea the guy I know was telling us about how HGH isn't on the list and how it'd greatly help guys trying to get that extra little added 'bonus'

DocK,
Some organizations do test for Human Growth Hormone. They take blood samples in Spring Training from their minor leaguers. Also some new minor league contracts call for 50 game ,100 game ,and lifetime suspensions. Remember there is no Player's Association for minor leaguers.

AHS,
what do you mean it's illegal because there's no test for it? On the actual rules and regulations HGH is allowed? Or do players use it because they can get away with it?

Actually, the minor league drug testing policy is drastically different and much more comprehensive that MLB. Pretty clear why. One group is organized and has one of the strongest/most effective unions anywhere. Other group has no representation or input.

This should help explain/quantify the differences:

http://www.minorleaguenews.com/baseball/features/articles2005/03/21/03.html

Whats an average day in the minor leagues like? I hear about all these bus rides and late nights, but how often are these rides. On average how much free times does a player get.

tbirds,minor leaguers play a 144 game schedule from about April 7 to Sept. 5 and then playoffs. During that time they have about 10 days off. One in April, May, 3 in June, one in July and 2 in August. Rainouts are made up as doubleheaders. Usually play 6-8 games at home and then same number on the road. Longest trip for my son was 14 days. Longest bus ride about 13 hours. Were 4 of those during the season. Others vary from 1 hour to 5-6 hours.
Early in the season you are at the park around 11 am for lifting 3-4 days per week. A break for lunch from noon to 2pm and then from 2pm to end of game(around 10pm) it is all baseball.

They lift before the game? Wow.

My son's schedule was similar to infield dad.
Players lifted even when they were on road trips.
Away games were any where from 180 miles to 374 miles (of course the bus was old, so it was SLOW going over the mountains ! which added alot more time to the trip.)
After the season is over some players go to 4 weeks of instructional or Az fall leagues.

Infielddad and njbb - It's easy to see what we hear about heart and passion having such a place in playing ball. How many jobs would people want to take where they have to work that hard, those hours, and for very little pay. Most of those guys are there because they truly love the game and are hoping to continue playing. Thanks for sharing your stories for those of us who's boys dream of getting to where yours are.

tbirds ...

I can also add that a starting pitcher's day is quite a bit different than that of a position player. The starting pitcher generally shows up at the field considerably later than the rest of the team ON HIS START DAY ... our son said that even when they were traveling special arrangements were made to get the starting pitcher to the field separately from the rest of the team. Starting pitchers also spend at least 3 games ... between their starts ... in the stands charting pitches. There are usually 3 starters sitting up there, one with a radar gun and 2 others with additional charts. Our son spent the three games after his start in the stands and the game before his start in the dug-out.

Some people think starting pitchers are spoiled, but we prefer to call them "special not spoiled" !!!

I don't think position players think pitchers are spoiled, they would rather be playing everyday then charting pitches

njbb ...
You are probably right (tho some people do think they are spoiled and definitely believe that they walk to the beat of a different drummer). Mine prefers pitching because he doesn't like to stand at the plate with a 90+ mph ball coming at him ... his derriere was ALWAYS a ball magnet and he doesn't like pain. Now, don't get me wrong ... the kid can actually hit the ball ... has taken a few over the wall during pitchers' BP in the minors. He just doesn't want to be a target everyday ... especially at a minor league salary

Another observation is that pitchers have to have a different mental toughness. When he's up there charting pitches, he's thinking & developing strategies & gaining insight into his "bank" of defensive plans. He's putting together a mental "rolodex", so to speak, on the batters.