Field

At first, Jeff and Kathy Lawson complained about the dozens of noisy trucks that began rumbling down their quiet country road in northern Harford County one day last month. They and their neighbors grew more irked upon discovering that the trucks contained treated sewage sludge to spread on an 80-acre field in Susquehanna State Park, less than a quarter-mile from their homes on Quaker Bottom Road near Havre de Grace. The Lawsons and others complained about the odor and raised concerns about the potential impact on property values and the environment.

The term "horserace" is relentlessly applied to presidential election campaigns, but the current contest actually fits the label. It features neck-and-neckers, come-from-behinders and odds-maker favorites who stumbled out of the gate. With large fields vying for the Republican and Democratic nominations now headed into what may or may not be the final furlongs, this is surely the most compelling White House competition in decades. Alas, like horseracing, this presidential primary contest is likely to be for most Americans a spectator sport.

Pinpointing the defining moment of Elizabeth Ryan's three-sport Roland Park career comes down to two dramatic possibilities.The options: a trick field hockey goal against Severn in 1997, and a last-second lacrosse goal against St. Mary's last spring.At Severn, as Ryan stood with her back to the goal, a shot caromed off the goalie's pads toward her. She had one choice -- to slam the ball back through her legs toward the cage. In a split second, she did it and scored. The Reds won, 2-0.Against St. Mary's in a tied lacrosse game, Ryan took a pass from Lauren Miller and raced to goal with five seconds left.

IT'S A SATURDAY afternoon and the air has the same breezy feel as an attic in July, and I am standing alongside a dusty ballfield in the middle of Nowheresville.Somewhere, hamburgers and hot dogs sizzle merrily on the grill and people tear lustily into buttery ears of sweet corn. Somewhere, other adults splash in crystal-clear pools and hoist frozen gin and tonics as laughter rings out.Somewhere, tanned and rested foursomes traverse lush fairways, and the THWOCK! of a Titleist off the tee mixes with the excited shouts of someone rainbowing a 6-iron onto the green from 160 yards or holing a 35-foot putt.

I AM NOT A CORONER or an archaeologist, but during the summer of 1996, I found myself hunting for bodies in Mexico.Under a cloudless blue sky, framed only by mountains on the horizon, I stood in a rutted field on the edge of Ciudad Juarez. The sun was cooking the landscape past the 100-degree mark. I could hear flies buzzing. But I could not smell death.What I could detect was the simple taste of fear.A question was forming in my mind. I was asking myself how I could distinguish a Mexican killing field from any ordinary stretch of plowed earth.

BOSTON -- It was the last All-Star Game of the century and also probably the last at Fenway Park, and it more than lived up to the occasion.If it wasn't the best All-Star night in years, it was close."

Thursday's Ravens game was a network television debut for PSINet's latest field. Like the team, it didn't look its best.The center part of the field was noticeably lighter in color than the outer two-thirds. ESPN's commentators even pointed out the differences in the fourth quarter, using on-screen pens to show the seams. Quarterback Tony Banks also appeared to have a hard time keeping his footing.The developer of the team's field said color differences will fade in coming weeks. He said slipping by players was probably due to nighttime dew or the use of the wrong cleats.

The Ravens aren't wrong to contemplate alternatives to Priest Holmes at running back, but Lawrence Phillips? Bringing him in would be a mistake. A bad idea instantly regretted. Are we making ourselves clear?Given Phillips' troubled past and disappointing NFL career, it's more likely he'll become the Ravens' No. 1 headache than their No. 1 runner.You'd think they'd understand, having barely survived the Bam Morris era.Why they're even considering undertaking "Bam II: The Phantom Menace" is anyone's guess.

Sixty-five points by two players can lead to wrong impressions.Morgan State coach Chris Fuller, who had the pleasure of watching Rasheed Sparks and Jimmy Fields score 39 and 26 points, respectively, against Florida A&M, feared the effect on his team and told them as much heading into last night's game against Bethune-Cookman."

Sixty-five points by two players can lead to wrong impressions.Morgan State coach Chris Fuller, who had the pleasure of watching Rasheed Sparks and Jimmy Fields score 39 and 26 points, respectively, against Florida A&M on Saturday, feared the effect on his team and told them as much heading into last night's game against Bethune-Cookman."

He trudges across campus without fanfare, another Morgan State student with a bulging backpack, a blue-and-orange sweat shirt and a shy, winsome smile for the world at large. Nothing about George Howard suggests mayhem until he steps onto the football field. And then? "He turns into a monster," said Devan James, Morgan's star runner. The Bears' middle linebacker, Howard is the crux of a 5-1 Morgan team that is off to its best start in 30 years. A fearless and punishing hitter, his 84 tackles (43 solos)

When Derrick Mason made his grand entrance to the practice field Sunday, fans gave him a lengthy ovation and shouted, "Welcome back home." Every time he caught a pass - whether it was a short toss or a 20-yarder down the middle of the field - a ripple of cheers rose from the crowd. It was a perfect return for Mason. Well, almost perfect. "T.O. [Terrell Owens] was in Buffalo not even a day and he got a band," Mason said with a laugh. "I've been here four years and I can't even get the Girl Scouts to come out."

A sea of orange and black swept through Camden Yards yesterday afternoon as 78 men and women tried out to field errant balls during the Orioles' new season. Those chosen will be called ball boys and ball girls, but applicants could be no younger than 18 and the oldest was 51. "I'm a little nervous," said Chad Zuk, 21, a Dundalk electrician, who said he has attended every Opening Day with his grandfather since he was 4. After filling out an application in a basement room, it was out onto the field - a place one usually gets to only by way of a professional contract.

Home-field advantage has never looked more appealing to Jeremiah Conway. Conway, a senior center and defensive tackle for the Mervo high school football team, can't wait to open the 2008 season at Art Modell Field at Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School - on the same field turf that the city's NFL franchise plays on and in front of more bleachers. The facility also includes and upgraded concession stand and upgraded restrooms. "I appreciate being able to go out on a new field, under the lights, in front of new bleachers," Conway said.

Jeremiah Conway has his senior year to look forward to - prom, graduation and eventually college. Also, Conway will have an added bonus as a senior football player at Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School: a new, state-of-the-art field, thanks to a $1 million donation from a Baltimore Ravens foundation. "I'm happy, it's a good way to go out - on the [artificial] turf, not playing at other schools," the 18-year-old team captain said. Mervo athletes, including soccer, lacrosse and football players, will have new field turf, extra bleachers to double the seating and a ticket booth.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he's certain that Luis Hernandez's latest fielding slump is caused more by the shortstop's poor footwork than a case of nerves, and the club continues to search for ways to improve it. Hernandez originally was charged with his third error Friday night before a scoring change. He had trouble getting a ball out of his glove in the first inning and bounced a throw to first base, and later double-clutched while attempting to turn a double play, costing the Orioles a run. Earlier in the day, Hernandez received tutelage from third base coach Juan Samuel, who works with the infielders.

The term "horserace" is relentlessly applied to presidential election campaigns, but the current contest actually fits the label. It features neck-and-neckers, come-from-behinders and odds-maker favorites who stumbled out of the gate. With large fields vying for the Republican and Democratic nominations now headed into what may or may not be the final furlongs, this is surely the most compelling White House competition in decades. Alas, like horseracing, this presidential primary contest is likely to be for most Americans a spectator sport.

Orioles gain value off the field despite losses on the field PG 12D

At first, Jeff and Kathy Lawson complained about the dozens of noisy trucks that began rumbling down their quiet country road in northern Harford County one day last month. They and their neighbors grew more irked upon discovering that the trucks contained treated sewage sludge to spread on an 80-acre field in Susquehanna State Park, less than a quarter-mile from their homes on Quaker Bottom Road near Havre de Grace. The Lawsons and others complained about the odor and raised concerns about the potential impact on property values and the environment.

Phyllis H. Field, a homemaker, died of pneumonia June 21 at the Charlestown Retirement Community, where she lived for the past nine years. The former Columbia resident was 92. Born Phyllis Hambsch in Rochester, N.Y., she moved as a child to Gwynn Oak Avenue and was 1932 Forest Park High School graduate. As a young woman, she worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Robert Garis on Cathedral Street. She was also a Baltimore City public schools substitute high school English teacher and did survey work for the University of Chicago.