Pubdate: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2002, The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Section: Metro, page 2 Author: Keith Morelli PROSECUTORS WANT PRISON FOR EX-PLAYER Strawberry's Court Date Is Set For April 1 In Tampa TAMPA - Darryl Strawberry will return to Tampa in April to face a judge who took a chance - and a lot of criticism - last year when she put the former Major League Baseball slugger on probation rather than in prison. Prosecutors will continue to press for the latter. ``We're beginning to sound like a broken record,'' said Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi, ``but we feel like he needs a more restrictive environment, and that environment is Florida state prison, where he can get the counseling he needs.'' Strawberry remained behind bars Wednesday in Marion County. He probably will remain there for at least a week, said a Marion County sheriff's spokesman. Strawberry is set to appear at 8:30 a.m. April 1 before Hillsborough Circuit Judge Florence Foster, who was criticized by some in May when she gave Strawberry a break after his fifth probation violation. She suspended an 18-month prison sentence in favor of treatment at the Phoenix House, a drug rehabilitation center north of Ocala. Strawberry was arrested Tuesday, his 40th birthday, after he was booted out of the Phoenix House. Part of Strawberry's probation was that he successfully complete treatment there. The former New York Yankee and Met, who won World Series titles with both teams, broke several rules at the center, a probation report says, including having sex with a female resident, smoking tobacco and other lesser infractions. Strawberry admitted to having sex with the fellow resident last week and in January admitted he didn't take his prescribed medication when it was handed out. He also was confrontational during a Dec. 28 counseling session, which he was asked to leave. Other violations include supplying residents with cigarettes, having too much money on him and giving cash to other residents, autographing baseballs and cards, and shaving his head, the report said. He also was accused of making ``indirect threats'' to staff and other residents on several occasions and exchanging two baseballs for cigarettes to someone outside the center. The report said probation officers were encouraged that Strawberry never tested positive for drugs at Phoenix House. Probation officers did not have a recommendation, saying they would leave that up to the court. Strawberry's defense attorney, Joe Ficarrotta, could not be reached for comment Wednesday. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart