Baseball has been known as the great American pastime, but now faces issues such as steroids and overpaid players, which may threaten its future.With Orioles slugger Rafael Palmeiro testing positive for steroids and the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez working under a $252 million contract, many people think players are not in it for the same reasons as past greats.

The steroids scandal has tainted the game for many fans, but freshman history major Ashley House said she will still remain loyal to the game even though she feels it is stained with all the scandals.

“I think because Barry Bonds and many other influential players have taken steroids, it has kind of tainted the image,” House said. “I would still go to games though, because I love the Astros.”

Many fans have questioned the realism of the players achievements.

Sophomore music major Casey Carruth said he has had a hard time accepting many players’ statistics.

“I think the game’s image is tarnished with steroids,” Carruth said. “Now people don’t know whether or not all the players’ accomplishments are really their work or if it is the drugs.”

Freshman marketing major Jason Hartman said some issues will stop spectators from watching baseball, but that the true fans will stick with the game through these dark times.

“For the mainstream fans, the game has lost its magic,” Hartman said. “For the real fans of the game, the game is magical and they are not turned off to the steroids and overpaid players.”

Freshman advertising/public relations major Heather Branham said she wants to see the players play to win instead of playing to get cash.

“It has kind of lost its magic due to steroids and high salaries,” Branham said. “It is now an egotistical sport. Now it is who is stronger than who, rather than a team effort.”

Freshman history major Matt Miller thinks the game is as good as ever.

“The game has not lost its magic. I mean, fans still go to the games and players still hit ’em out of the park and as long as they do that people will still go to the games,” Miller said.

Despite all the scandals, fans still receive postseason classics.

This weekend’s record setting eighteen-inning epic had the Houston Astros defeating Atlanta with a homerun in the lower part of the inning allowing Houston to move on to the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Junior management and physical education major Josiah Bender said he hopes the glorious days of old will surface again despite the scandals.

“Yes, it has lost a lot of magic with the overpaid players and steroids, however, the faster they deal with the steroid issue, the quicker the game will return to its original glory.