Tribe’s Belle Summoned By Officials

Albert Belle, accused of throwing a ball at a photographer, has been asked to appear before baseball officials today.

The players’ union would not say if the Cleveland outfielder will show.

Management’s Player Relations Committee requested Belle’s appearance through Gene Orza, the union’s No. 2 official, according to a source familiar with the investigation, who spoke on the condition he not be identified.

Orza did not respond Tuesday and baseball officials were unsure if Belle - in New York for a series between the Yankees and Indians - will appear.

Orza did not return telephone messages left by The Associated Press.

A baseball official, also asking he not be identified, said Belle was supposed to be undergoing counseling as part of the penalty imposed for the World Series incident with Hannah Storm.

“He’s supposed to go, but evidently he hasn’t been doing it,” the official said.

AL president Gene Budig said Tuesday he is investigating the April 6 incident in which Belle allegedly threw a ball that hit Sports Illustrated photographer Tony Tomsic.

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