A.L. Cracks Down On Belle After Latest Strange Incident

Concluding that Albert Belle has “a problem,” the American League on Thursday ordered the Cleveland outfielder to undergo counseling and to perform community service.

If he fails to do so, he will face suspension.

The decision followed an investigation of an April 6 incident in which Belle threw a baseball that hit a photographer during a workout. On Feb. 29, Belle was fined $50,000 for a profane tirade at a reporter during the World Series.

“The answer was not another fine,” A.L. president Gene Budig said. “That in my opinion doesn’t address the problem. Professional help does.”

When he issued the penalty for the World Series incident, acting commissioner Bud Selig ordered Belle to undergo counseling but didn’t make that part of his decision public. Following the incident last month, baseball officials said they were concerned Belle hadn’t attended counseling sessions regularly.

“This is a public ruling,” Budig said, explaining why this penalty is different. “The American League is directing him to participate in immediate - immediate - counseling, and both the Indians and the American League will monitor his participation. Failure to comply will result in a suspension.”

Belle, who led the majors with 50 home runs last season and was second in A.L. most valuable player voting, did not immediately comment.

“I am satisfied that the American League president found there was no basis to fine or suspend Albert, because there was no justification for that,” said Belle’s agent, Arn Tellem. “With respect to community service, Albert Belle has of his own volition been one of the more active athletes in the community.”

Tellem said Belle already had been undergoing counseling.

“That’s my only problem philosophically,” he said. “He didn’t need to be directed. But that’s a political issue, quite frankly. The American League president is doing that because of the keen media interest - and only because of the media interest - in this matter.”

Budig was emphatic in his belief that Belle needs mandatory counseling.

“Albert Belle has a problem and the American League has a problem,” Budig said. “This problem must be addressed in a forthright manner for the good of all concerned.”

Budig hasn’t discussed the penalty with Belle. Budig and Selig have spoken with Indians owner Dick Jacobs in recent weeks to try to convince Jacobs that Belle has a problem that needs to be addressed.

“I have had a number of conversations with both Mr. Jacobs and with (general manager) John Hart, and they have assured me that the Indians will work with the league on the Belle matter,” Budig said.

Hart and Indians manager Mike Hargrove declined comment on Budig’s decision.

“I think what people have to try and understand is that we are all human beings, and sometimes he cannot hold it any longer,” Indians pitcher Dennis Martinez said. “There is a lot of pressure in playing this game.”

Belle’s latest outburst occurred when he threw a baseball at Sports Illustrated photographer Tony Tomsic during an Indians workout at Jacobs Field. Tomsic declined to file a complaint, but the A.L. began investigating after the incident became public.

Budig wouldn’t discuss whether he thought Belle deliberately was trying to hit Tomsic. Belle said it was accidental; others said it was deliberate.

In crafting the penalty, Budig was trying to find sanctions that may change Belle’s behavior.

“He will further be required to perform community service with youth groups in Cleveland, and that service will be determined by the Indians in consultation with the league,” Budig said. “I believe Albert will benefit from and respond positively to these directives.

“My foremost concern is for Albert Belle the person and for the fans of major league baseball. It is time for those who care about Albert Belle to encircle him with genuine encouragement and constructive support.”

Belle has been involved in several incidents. Last Oct. 31, he drove his car after teenagers who had thrown eggs at his Ohio home. When he called police to report the incident, Belle said, “You better get somebody over here because if I find one of ‘em, I’ll kill ‘em.”

He was found guilty Nov. 28 of reckless operation of a motor vehicle on private property and fined $100.

“You look at Albert. He’s the best player in baseball. Let him be,” Martinez said. “Let him represent the game on the playing field. Somewhere along the line, he has gotten the reputation as a bad person and I don’t think he is.

“People think he has a problem, but who knows what other behavior problems other people have? I don’t like to see some people punished for things that other people do. I just don’t think this is quite the right way to handle it.”