Major League Baseball Announces Joint Domestic Violence Policy

Major League Baseball and the Players Association agreed on a new policy covering domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.

The agreement announced jointly Friday by the commissioner’s office and the players’ union has been in the works since past year, following a series of high-profile domestic violence cases involving NFL players. “The Commissioner’s authority to discipline is not dependent on whether the player is convicted or pleads guilty to a crime”.

In this new agreement, commissioner Rob Manfred decides on the length and severity of the punishment, with no minimum or maximum number of games set by the agreement itself: Manfred can determine that figure on his own, case by case. The individual experts in their areas will be responsible for prescribing treatment plans for players (which can include mandatory counseling, evaluations and other stipulations) and overseeing their compliance.

Commissioner Rob Manfred has the right to place a player accused on paid administrative leave for up to seven days. A challenge to discipline will be governed by the “just cause” standard, as per the policy, as the panel may consider evidence of both aggravating and mitigating factors concerning the alleged actions.

As with drug-related suspensions – players receive an 80-game suspension for a first positive test for performance-enhancing drugs – players can appeal their suspensions and have the appeal heard by an independent arbitrator.

An expert member of the Joint Policy Board will submit his or her proposed Treatment Plan to the full Board for approval. Consistent with the collective bargaining agreement, Major League Baseball will conduct an interview with the player.

Baseball’s new policy, which was developed with the input of anti-domestic violence advocacy groups, relies on a combination of discipline, treatment and education, according to a release.

The policy will also implement regular education programs for Major League players about domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, establish a 24-hour help line for players and their relatives, and provide resources to everyone in baseball and their families. Players will not receive service time for the period of the suspension.