Outdoors, pro lacrosse scores here

A DAY FOR rumbling and rambling:

Lacrosse is often described as the fastest game on two feet, and it might finally be living up to its billing.

Baltimore's new professional team, the Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse, offers much of the same as the college game, but the pro game has a much faster pace and more action.

League officials knew there had to be some deviations from the college game, and they have made the pro game just as appealing. The action is nonstop because the clock never stops except in the game's final minute. There are also a 45-second shot clock and two-point goals that are scored beyond 15 feet.

The faster pace not only produces more over-the-shoulder shots, quicker passes and increased offensive creativity, but it also forces teams to play better overall defense.

Traditionalists will argue about the game's being more playgroundish than the college game, but basketball critics have been saying the same about the NBA compared with college for decades.

Who cares?

Another great drawing card is that, for years, top college players virtually had no other avenues after they graduated except limited all-star tournaments and club teams. Now, fans can see players like Paul Cantabene, Mark Millon, Tom Marechek or Josh Simms at their physical peaks.

The Bayhawks have drawn crowds of about 5,000 for their first two home games.

"Hopefully, we can build on that. Five thousand is about our break-even point," said Mike Hardiski, the Bayhawks' director of public relations.

The Orioles' front office and public relations staff breathed a sigh of relief last week when third baseman Cal Ripken said he would retire at the end of the season. If that didn't happen, the team and the Iron Man seemed headed toward a nasty divorce.

Now, the Orioles can give Ripken a nice sendoff and herd tons of his fans into previously half-empty Camden Yards for the rest of the season. Also, those "Come See The Kids" ads might be more effective, because no one would buy into this youth movement kick until the team got rid of either Ripken or outfielder Brady Anderson. Or both.

It's a shame Ripken didn't tell owner Peter Angelos or manager Mike Hargrove about his retirement plans before he revealed the information. That was in poor taste -- and selfish, too. After all, the Orioles, who have paid Ripken millions over the past two decades, made the Iron Man. The Iron Man didn't make the Orioles.

If Reggie Jackson was Mr. October, then Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister must be Mr. June.

McAlister has had run-ins with the law during the past two off-seasons. Last June, McAlister was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, but the case was dismissed for insufficient evidence.

Nearly a week ago, McAlister and former teammate Clarence Love were charged with disturbing the peace at Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport.

McAlister and Love allegedly pushed a flight attendant and became verbally abusive after a dispute over their seating arrangements.

Nice guy, eh?

Actually, McAlister , about to enter his third season, isn't a bad person, but he has a lot of growing up to do. Unfortunately, the NFL doesn't always allow much of a learning curve, because the quick fame and money can become overwhelming. McAlister might become a casualty if he doesn't change his ways.

It will be interesting to see how the talkative McAlister handles those HBO documentary cameras inside the locker rooms this summer at training camp. In the early betting on who receives the most face time, the favorites are Tony Siragusa, McAlister, Shannon Sharpe and coach Brian Billick.

But Billick wins this in a runaway, and not just because he is the coach.

It would figure that the year the Washington Wizards get the top pick in the NBA draft, there is no consensus No. 1.

And because that is the case, the Wizards should take Duke forward Shane Battier tomorrow. Maybe he doesn't have the upside potential of an Eddie Griffin, Kwame Brown or Eddy Curry, but he is the safest bet for a solid performance every night.

He is coachable, is intelligent and works hard. Battier is also a proven. Last season, whenever the Blue Devils needed a steal, blocked shot, big rebound, clutch basket or whatever, Battier always delivered. No player did more for Duke in its run for the championship last season than Battier, especially in the Final Four, when he virtually willed Duke to the title.

Is he going to get you 22 points a night or carry a team on his back to the NBA playoffs? No. Does he have superior athletic talent compared with other players in the league? Nope. But his presence will be felt as far as the team's all-around performance.

Plus, you don't have to worry about picking up the morning paper and reading about his pushing some flight attendant around.

For a man who has found religion, former world heavyweight champion Joe Frazier hasn't found inner peace.

He is still one of the most insecure people on the planet.

Old Joe is still smokin' about comments Muhammad Ali made 25 years ago, when Ali characterized him as an "ugly gorilla." There had been reports that Frazier had gotten over his hatred (actually, jealousy) of Ali, but it resurfaced again at a fight between the champions' daughters, Laila Ali and Jacqui Frazier-Lyde, two weeks ago.

What Frazier fails to realize is that the comments and the taunting were all part of the Ali act and psyche, and everyone, from reporters to fighters, was fair game at the time.