Yogi Berra

EVEN YOGI BERRA, known for witticisms so absurd they're brilliant, would be at a loss to explain the bizarre summer Baltimore baseball fans continue to endure.On Sunday, David Cone of the rival New York Yankees pitched a perfect game, retiring all 27 batters he faced. He threw just 88 pitches. Because any mistake can undo a perfect game, the feat has been accomplished in the major leagues only 14 times this century.Mr. Cone's milestone was made more dramatic by the presence of Yankee greats from the past, who participated in ceremonies in honor of Mr. Berra.

Most New Yorkers' experience with "environmental fragrance" or "aromatherapy" probably is limited to taxis with bottles of florid scent on the --board. Usually these are the same taxis that have "no smoking" written in 18 places in the cab.But stand by. At a luncheon of the Fashion Group International, an organization of female fashion and cosmetic executives, the topic was "The Coming Age of Aroma-chology," or the effect of fragrance on behavior. Studies were cited, including one showing increased productivity at a Japanese construction company that introduced fragrance into the workplace and an experiment to increase sales at department stores by releasing a fragrance that is supposed to make shoppers more alert.

THOSE who fear the evils of ubiquitous gambling at every corner store need look no further than South Carolina for a glaring example of the dangers.Thirty-four thousand video-poker slot machines, in hundreds of convenience stores, gas stations and even in laundromats, blanket the state. It's a $2.8 billion industry built on greed and corruption.Anti-gambling advocates breathed a giant sigh of relief last week when that state's Supreme Court invalidated a Nov. 2 referendum on slots, and in the process set the stage for their mandated elimination next July 1. South Carolina's governor and its House speaker said the court's ruling settled the matter.

BaseballBaseball Hall of Fame -- Named Donald C. Marr president. Added Yogi Berra, Pee Wee Reese and Bill White to the veterans committee.Orioles -- Placed P Mike Mussina on the 15-day DL, retroactive to July 22. Recalled P Arthur Rhodes from Triple-A Rochester.Boston Red Sox -- Activated former Orioles C Bob Melvin from the 15-day DL. Optioned C John Flaherty to Triple-A Pawtucket.Cincinnati Reds -- Traded P Tim Belcher to the Chicago White Sox for P Johnny Ruffin and P Jeff Pierce. Assigned Ruffin to Triple-A Indianapolis and Pierce to Double-A Chattanooga.

This "roar of the crowd" stuff is vastly overrated.This weekend, Major League Baseball named a 30-member All-Century team as voted on by fans and a panel of experts. After studying the results, all we can say is: Aah, what do they know?You see, The Sun asked its own distinguished group of voters -- columnist George F. Will, broadcaster Bob Costas, Hall of Fame announcer Ernie Harwell, sportswriters Dave Kindred and Christine Brennan and Sun publisher and long-time fan Michael E. Waller -- for their selections.

"It ain't over til it's over," said Yogi Berra, who never met the Maryland legislature.After much deliberation, the State Board of Education recently voted to make Maryland the first state to require students to perform community service. The issue was contentious. Supporters contend the initiative will help youngsters gain a better understanding of their community. Opponents claim it's "mandatory volunteerism" and, with a straight face, compare it to slavery.Most school boards, superintendents and teacher unions focused on how the change would affect their workload rather than how it might benefit students.

On those rainy summer days, most younger fans forget about baseball after reading the box scores. But the reading doesn't have to stop there.At your local library and bookstore, there are shelves full of baseball books with fictional tales, illustrations and real-life stories.Here are some of the more popular baseball books geared toward younger fans:"Teammates" by Peter Golenbock is a winner of Redbook magazine's best children's picture book award. It centers on the true story of the friendship between Brooklyn Dodgers infielders Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese.

Susan Rapp, director of the Columbia West Kumon Center, offers some thoughts on "great books."In my practice of teaching reading to children of all ages over the years, one of the enduring pleasures has been to hear one of my students gleefully comment, "Gee, that was a great book!"Without question, in today's print-rich society, reading skills are essential for success. Yet, ultimately, as parents and teachers we would like to see our children truly enjoy reading as well.Child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim proclaimed in his text "On Learning to Read": "What is required for a child to be eager to learn to read is not knowledge about reading's practical usefulness, but a fervent belief that being able to read will open to him a world of wonderful experiences, permit him to shed his ignorance, understand the world, and become master of his fate."

LITTLE FALLS, N.J. - The playoff drama for the Bayhawks may not have been as intense as their opponent, the New Jersey Pride. While New Jersey was fighting for a playoff spot, Baltimore learned Thursday night that it had already earned a berth in the Major League Lacrosse postseason. Yesterday's game was about pride for the Bayhawks. Baltimore played like the team to beat heading into next weekend's playoffs, routing New Jersey, 20-9, before 2,717 at Yogi Berra Stadium. With the victory, the Bayhawks (10-4)

A scout's take On Hanley Ramirez, Florida's 22-year-old rookie shortstop, who is batting .273 with 19 steals and 50 runs scored Defense -- He's got quickness, great instincts with his feet and hands and has a plus arm. He's just instinctive. He gets great jumps and has tremendous range and arm strength. He'll be in the top class of shortstops. He'll be in the discussion as one of the game's best shortstops in the next two or three years. Attitude -- He was a little maligned in his makeup with the Red Sox, but this is a great, great kid. He has a great work ethic, has fun playing and is a great teammate.