As most of you may know, the Rockies are making the headlines. Sadly, it isn't for the reasons you would all hope.
Every spring training the Rockies organization (and likely the other 29 - I'd guess the Rockies aren't the only ones) holds several different meetings, the topics ranigng from setting up your 401k to the Sheriff explaining local troubles to avoid. I'm sure very few of you want to know about the 401k meetings so I'll touch base on the player's safety meeting and meeting with the Sheriff.
Every spring training a local sheriff comes to address the team. In the years that I was there, it was always an enjoyable and entertaining meeting - certainly never one that you would nod off during (e.g. healthy eating habits meeting). Usually he would start with the most relevant topic for the time. Topics from my spring training stints were guns in the clubhouse, social media, dangers of texting and driving, etc. Alongside avoiding Night Walkers, driving drunk was ALWAYS a main focus. They explained the obvious dangers, how strict the Arizona laws are, "tent city" and the pink underwear assigned to you. Arizona jail time didn't sound that great.
No matter what the tone of the meeting was to that point (usually funny and light hearted), they always emphasized DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. It's just not worth it.
Now you may be thinking, "It's the beginning of baseball season! They had the last 5 months to drink and party!" Well, you're right; they did have the offseason to do all those things. However, they didn't have their closest friends to do those things with. Personally, I tried to keep my party time to a minimum when I reported to spring training. That doesn't mean I completely stopped enjoying a night out here and there; I don't think it's fair to expect that from anyone. It's good to go out with your friends from time to time, enjoy some dinner and have a couple drinks.
The nights out on the town (speaking solely for myself) during spring training, were intricately planned. I had to make sure that my pitching schedule and work load the next day fell in line with my after-hours events. Call me old school, but I don't like to get obliterated the night before thousands of people come to watch me pitch. I enjoyed doing well and people thinking I was cooler than I actually am.
Everyone is different in this regard though. Famously, a guy like David Wells or Ken Caminiti proved that you can both party and play hard. Some of your favorite minor leaguers may in fact think they can do the same.
The harsh truth is, some of them may very well be ruining their career trying to do so. Groupies wouldn't be relevant if it weren't for these types of athletes. It's not every day you see a groupie trolling the church parking lot, trying to meet a ball player.
It isn't something you want to ever see, but Alex White is the example this year. We all know it was a lapse in judgment on his part (albeit a large one). I'm sure he knows it as well and there is nothing more he wants right now than for this to all go away.