Clemens' early invitation

House panel summons pitcher for pre-testimony steroid chat

Also called to testify next month are Radomski, who was allegedly a steroid supplier, and Andy Pettitte and Chuck Knoblauch, Clemens' former teammates. The committee also is conducting a steroids-related hearing Tuesday featuring Mitchell, baseball commissioner Bud Selig and players union leader Donald Fehr.

Advance interviews are typically conducted in special committee investigations.

Last month, a House committee received approval to privately question officials about nine deaths at a Utah mine. Allowing advance questioning, the committee wrote in a report, enables the later hearing "to be more focused and illuminating."

Clemens and the other witnesses will likely be questioned by a staff attorney designated by Waxman.

Clemens is to be deposed as soon as the middle of next week, according to committee staff members who spoke on condition of anonymity because the sessions are private.

Clemens' representatives said yesterday that they were working with the committee on the details of his appearances.

McNamee's attorneys did not immediately reply to calls and e-mails.

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