Belle, photographer settle lawsuit
Posted: Monday November 16, 1998 06:04 PM
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The incident prompted Belle to undergo anger counseling and perform community service AP |
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Albert Belle
and a sports photographer have settled a lawsuit that claimed Belle
deliberately hit the man with a thrown ball during practice at Jacobs
Field, the photographer said Monday.
"I'm very glad it's over with," Tony Tomsic said. Terms of the settlement
weren't disclosed and Tomsic said a confidentiality agreement barred him
from discussing it.
Belle could not be reached for comment. A message seeking comment was
left at the office of his agent, Arn Tellem.
The lawsuit had been scheduled to go to trial Monday in Cuyahoga County
Common Pleas Court but was settled several weeks ago, according to Tomsic's
attorney, Eric Kennedy.
Tomsic was taking pictures of Belle for Sports Illustrated during a
workout April 6, 1996, when the outfielder allegedly fired a baseball at
him.
The incident prompted American League president Gene Budig to order Belle
to undergo anger counseling and perform community service. Belle left the
Cleveland Indians
in late 1996 and joined the Chicago White Sox.
The lawsuit asked for unspecified compensatory damages for a bloody
knuckle which Tomsic received and punitive damages to make an example of
Belle.
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