Sports Law Developments: A No-Brainer in Baseball?
MLB has imposed a blanket ban on dangerous weapons, and has begun posting warnings in spring training clubhouses. It is tough to argue with this stance and say that players should be allowed to bring their guns, knives and explosives into the clubhouse.
Nevertheless, it is interesting to parse the specifics as to how the ban is interpreted the first time a player is cited for a violation. For instance, according to this article, the weapons are barred “while performing any services for MLB.” If a player gets in trouble for violating the ban, a good lawyer could have a field day with this vague definition.
For instance, what if the player is caught with a gun while on the way to or from a game? Is that part of a “service for MLB?” What if he is busted while at an event which is not sanctioned by the league or team, not at the team stadium, but is required by his contract, such as the team’s annual offseason fan fest, or an autograph signing? The ban should also spell out the penalties for violations.
Here is hoping that the MLB Players Association and league hammer out the details before anyone gets in trouble for violating the policy and takes the policy itself to task as a result.
