Albert Belle And The Corked Bat The way ethical challenges are handled can vary with the situation. About five years ago, Albert Belle who was then with the Cleveland Indians was suspected to be using a corked bat, which is illegal. When he and his teammates arrived at the field that night the umpires confiscated one of Belles bats and locked in the umpire’s office. The Indians were very worried because Belle was their leading hitter at the time and he would surely be suspended. Then Jason Grimesly, who was a rookie relief pitcher at the time, came up with a plan to steal the bat out of the umpire’s office by dropping into the room from the ceiling