Less than 24 hours after complaining of dizziness, collapsing and being carried off a spring training practice field, Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler was pronounced dead from complications caused by heatstroke.
According to doctors, "multi-organ failure due to heatstroke" was what caused the 23-year-old to die.
An autopsy will be performed to find, among other things, whether Bechler was taking a dietary supplement containing the drug ephedrine.
Team officials believe Bechler may have been using ephedrine, a stimulant designed to aid weight loss and minimize fatigue.
Ephedrine has recently been linked to the death of several athletes. It is thought that ephedrine and other weight loss drugs contribute to heat stroke by interfering with the body’s ability to get rid of heat.
Reportedly, the team prohibits players from using the drug except when prescribed for colds by players' personal physicians.
Team officials said that early spring workouts are designed to ease people into the routine. Water and sports drinks are available to players, and they are encouraged to drink routinely between drills.
Bechler had passed a standard team physical at the beginning of the training camp, but team officials had noted that his physical conditioning was poor.
The Washington Post February 18, 2003
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