Major League Baseball players and owners announced Thursday a tougher steroid-testing program that includes penalties for first-time offenders.

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said he wants to "restore the confidence" of baseball fans.

Rob Manfred, the executive vice president for labor relations for Major League Baseball, outlined the major aspects of the new agreement.

A first positive test would result in a suspension of up to 10 days and the penalties would increase to a one-year suspension for a fourth positive test. Second-time offenders will be suspended for 30 days, and a third offense will bring a 60-day suspension.

Players will be tested at least once per year, and there is a possibility several players could be tested a number of times each year.

Also, there will be a large number of substances added to the list of banned drugs, including THG, but stimulants will not be addressed in the new agreement.

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The new agreement falls far short of the World Anti-Doping Agency's code, which has been adopted by most Olympic sports. It states the "norm" is two-year bans for a first positive test and a lifetime ban for a second, unless there are mitigating circumstances.

Under the old policy, a first positive test for steroid use results in treatment. A second offense carries a 15-day suspension or fine of up to $10,000. A third offense is a 25-day suspension or up to a $25,000 fine and a fourth a 50-day suspension or a fine up to $50,000. A fifth positive test is either a one-year suspension or a fine of up to $100,000. All suspensions are without pay and there is no out-of-season testing.

In the old policy, players are tested only once in-season. No player was suspended for using steroids in 2004.

The Players Association indicated earlier this winter it was open to a tougher testing policy than the one currently in place. Commissioner Bud Selig and Major League Baseball have received criticism from lawmakers for a loose testing policy, which was reached under the collective bargaining agreement in 2002 by the union and management. It expires following the 2006 season.

Even after the new agreement, the rules are more stringent at the minor league level. Under that policy, which is not subject to collective bargaining, there is a year-round testing program and first-time offenders are hit with a 15-day suspension without pay. Players who test positive a second time receive a 30- day suspension, and a third offense means a full season suspension without pay.

In the NFL's drug testing policy, a first-time offender is hit with a four- game suspension, which is a quarter of the regular season. The NBA hits first- time offenders with a five-game suspension.

According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle in early December, Giants slugger Barry Bonds admitted to using a clear substance and cream provided to him from his trainer, but said he didn't know they were steroids.

The newspaper reported Bonds, a seven-time National League MVP, testified before a federal grand jury in December 2003 and that earlier that year he used both clear and cream substances provided by his personal strength trainer, Greg Anderson. According to the testimony obtained by the Chronicle, Bonds said he was told the substances were the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and a rubbing balm for arthritis. The substances are similar to steroids described from the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, the center of a scandal.

Another newspaper report said New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi claimed in his grand jury testimony that he took a human growth hormone in 2003 and also used steroids for at least three seasons.

Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield also testified before a federal grand jury on the steroids issue.