Former major league slugger Barry Bonds is formally appealing his felony charge of obstruction of justice.
Bonds' attorneys filed the notice to the federal trial court late Wednesday, asking that Bonds have his conviction tossed out. A three-judge panel will be assigned the case.
U.S. District Judge Susan Illston on Friday sentenced baseball's home run king to two years' probation, 30 days of house arrest and 250 hours of community service.
Bonds also was fined $4,000 by Illston for his conviction on obstructing a grand jury investigation into the BALCO doping scandal. He could have faced up to 21 months in prison.
Illston said the fact that the former San Francisco Giants superstar had no previous convictions played a role in her decision. She also made note of Bonds' charitable work.
Despite objections of prosecutors, Illston stayed the sentence while Bonds appeals his conviction.
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