The fight against steroids in baseball and the entire sports culture is in extra innings.

There are no runs, no hits--and enough errors to take us into the next decade.

No need to mention any names here. You've heard the apologies, listened to the alibis, witnessed the shoulder shrugs, and maybe even read the tell-all book.

Recently, a few heavy hitters were forced to step up to the plate before Congress. A couple of them at least took a few solid swings at the questions.

One in particular sadly decided to take ball four.

Should we take his advice, drop talking about the "past," and adopt a "can we all just get along" attitude?

No -- a million times, no. There is too much at stake.

This isn't about the baseball players who have abused steroids, anyway. Whatever damage they have self-in-
flicted on their livers, reputations and Hall of Fame considerations is done. They are grown men who should know better.

This isn't even
about baseball. The crux of this debacle is the fact that we continue to spin in this weave of ignorance, deception and fractured rationalizations.

Sure, baseball currently is engulfed in this chemical maelstrom. It is a problem the baseball community has earned throughout the years of its "hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil" overtures regarding legitimate steroid testing.

Anyone who hasn't lived in a cave for the past 30 years is well aware of the proliferation of performance-enhancing drugs in every sport. Did Major League Baseball really think that the monster lived in everyone's closet except theirs?

This is about integrity and a level playing field that's awful bumpy right now.

This is about the health and well-being of youngsters who emulate and idolize pro ballplayers.

So, Mr. Big Time, you say that you don't want to be a role model -- that's a job for parents, right? Too bad -- it comes with the territory that includes your multi-million dollar contract, the television face-time and the soft-drink endorsement.

More importantly, it comes with everything that is sacred and admirable about sports.

Parents should be good at what they do -- parenting.

You guys are bigger than life to these kids. Unfortunately, it's the way some of you are getting big that's hurting everyone.

The most compelling and sensible statement made on Capitol Hill in March came from Donald Hooton, whose son, Taylor, a high-school baseball player in Texas, committed suicide in 2003 after taking steroids:

"Players who are guilty of taking steroids are not only cheaters, you are cowards... Show our kids that you're man enough to face authority, tell the truth and face the consequences. Instead, you hide behind the skirts of your union, and with the help of management and your lawyers, you've made every effort to resist facing the public today."

It's time to put some sharp teeth into the MLB testing process and get rid of steroids and the cheaters who abuse them.

It's time for MLB to cease this "half-baked doping policy that insults the intelligence of the U.S. public," as stated by Richard Pound, the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

It's way beyond the time to get tough on steroids.

Ken Mannie is the strength and conditioning coach at Michigan State University.