Belle Gets Ultimatum This Time

NEW YORK — 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 at Sports Illustrated photographer Tony Tomsic during a workout at Jacobs Field.

On Feb. 29, Belle was fined $50,000 for a profane tirade at TV reporter Hannah Storm during the World Series.

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

Belle had no comment about the issue, but he did have a response: two home runs and five runs batted in during an 8-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Cleveland.

“Albert always goes to the plate with a plan and never loses his focus,” Indian Manager Mike Hargrove said.

When he issued the penalty for the World Series incident with Storm, acting Commissioner Bud Selig ordered Belle to undergo counseling but didn’t make that part of his decision public. After the incident last month, baseball officials said they were concerned that Belle hadn’t attended counseling sessions regularly, though Cleveland spokesman Bart Swain said Belle had met with team psychologist Charles Maher twice since April 6.

“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 led the majors with 50 home runs last season and was second in AL MVP voting.

He has a history of problems, including suspensions for using a corked bat and throwing a ball at a fan. During the off-season, Belle was fined by Richmond Heights, Ohio, authorities for chasing and striking a trick-or-treater with his vehicle.

Belle’s agent, Arn Tellem, expressed satisfaction in his client’s not being fined or suspended and said Belle was already active in community service. But Tellem was unhappy with the order for counseling.

“He didn’t need to be directed,” Tellem said. “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.”