Relief pitcher Steve Howe of the New...

Relief pitcher Steve Howe of the New York Yankees testified in federal court in Missoula, Mont., that he was scared after his arrest on cocaine charges and signed a confession out of fear his house and pickup truck would be seized.

Three drug agents said Howe was under no coercion to write or sign the five-page confession. One agent described Howe as eager to prove he was not involved in a drug ring operating in the area.

Howe, who has been in spring training with the Yankees in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is charged with attempting to buy one gram of cocaine and with possessing two grams of cocaine.