Privacy at stake in steroid testing, union leader says

WASHINGTON -- The head of the baseball players' union Tuesday told Congress that players should not be tested for steroids without reasonable grounds for suspicion, and warned against new policies that would "smear" athletes.

"This discussion can be summarized in a single word: privacy," Donald Fehr, executive director and general counsel of the Major League Baseball Players Association, told a Senate Commerce subcommittee.

The players' union has "always believed that one should not, absent compelling safety considerations, invade the privacy of someone without a substantial reason," he added.

Jerry Colangelo, managing general partner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, argued it is time for baseball to adopt screening policies similar to those in place in other professional sports leagues.

"If a person makes mistakes over and over again, we have to deal with it. Being a professional athlete is a privilege, not an entitlement," Colangelo said.

The testimony marked the first time Congress has held hearings on sports drug testing since the subject began drawing intensified public attention.