ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Banned substances in baseball

Okay, so you know how when you play a game, there are rules? And if you break the rules, you get in trouble? Well, in baseball, there are rules about what kinds of things players can and can't do. One of the rules is that they can't use certain substances that might give them an unfair advantage.

These substances are called "banned substances," and there are lots of different kinds of them. Some of them are steroids, which are like special medicines that can make you stronger and faster. Other banned substances are things like stimulants, which can make you feel more awake and alert.

Why are these things banned? Well, it's because if some players use them and others don't, it's not a fair game anymore. The players who use the banned substances would have an unfair advantage, and that's not fair for everyone else.

So, if a player gets caught using one of these banned substances, they can get in trouble. They might get suspended from playing for a while, or they might get in trouble with the law. Basically, it's a serious thing to break the rules about banned substances in baseball.
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