Overview
Doping refers to the use of prohibited substances or methods to illegally enhance athletic performance. In professional baseball, concerns center on anabolic steroids for muscle building, erythropoietin (EPO) for endurance, and amphetamines for focus. MLB faced a massive steroid scandal in the 2000s, with the records of Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire clouded by doping allegations. In response, MLB established a rigorous testing regime. NPB enacted its Anti-Doping Regulations in 2007, implementing random testing during the season and off-season. Publicly disclosed doping violations in NPB have been fewer than in MLB, attributed partly to differences in testing infrastructure and partly to a cultural resistance to performance-enhancing drugs in Japanese baseball. However, new substances and methods designed to evade detection are constantly being developed, necessitating continuous strengthening of monitoring systems. Doping not only undermines competitive fairness but also poses serious long-term health risks to athletes, making education and prevention the most critical countermeasures.