Casey Martin took the stand in the third day of his
     suit against the PGA Tour and explained how his disabled
     right leg "has prevented him from living a normal life,"
     according to Thomas Heath of the WASHINGTON POST.  Martin,
     who "broke down once" during his 75 minute testimony, spoke
     in a "calm, clipped voice," saying that his leg causes him
     "such immense pain that he has been unable to sleep
     uninterrupted for many years."  Martin also testified that
     blood "gathers and hardens" in his ankle, that he takes "at
     least" five Advils a day, wears two stockings on his leg "to
     aid circulation," and "no longer runs, exercises or drives." 
     Martin also said the "essence of golf" at PGA and Nike Tour
     levels is "[m]aking shots," not walking.  PGA Tour Policy
     Board Chair Richard Ferris also testified yesterday, and
     told the court that "walking is part and parcel of the game"
     at the highest levels.  Martin's lawyers are expected to
     rest their case today (WASHINGTON POST, 2/5).  While being
     questioned by his attorney, Martin broke down in recalling
     an incident during a college tourney when he was offered the
     use of a cart, but refused.  After the court granted a five
     minute recess, Martin "reiterated" he would prefer walking
     "if he could."  The Tour said "it will appeal the case if it
     loses."  Martin said he won't appeal but will "try to play
     without a cart."  In Chicago, Michael Hirsley: "Martin
     struggling to walk the course could be a lingering public-
     relations black eye for pro golf" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/5).
          DETAILS: PGA Tour attorney William Maledon said
     Martin's disability is "not the issue in the case, and it's
     unfortunate that that emotional issue is being given the
     prominence that it is" (CNN/SI, 2/5)....The PGA Tour's
     Ferris testified that carts are allowed on the Senior Tour
     because it is a "money-driven 'nostalgia' tour, far less
     competitive than" the PGA Tour (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/5).  
          ADVANTAGE MARTIN? ESPN's Jimmy Roberts pointed out a
     part of Ferris' testimony that "might in the end prove
     especially damaging" to the PGA Tour's case, that carts were
     provided for all players during the qualifying school
     because one was provided for Martin.  Roberts: "Ferris said
     that in the Tour's view, that did not compromise the
     integrity of the competition ... [which] would seem to be at
     odds with the Tour's very own central argument" (ESPN, 2/4).
     

          The NFLPA "has informed the league that it is prepared
     to allow" the CBA to expire after the 2000 season and not
     extend it through 2002, according to Leonard Shapiro of the
     WASHINGTON POST.  The present CBA calls for an end to the
     salary cap for the 2000 season, but the league and union had
     been negotiating to extend the deal, "and cap," through
     2002.  NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw said NFL owners want the
     cap through 2002 "to cover the first five years" of the new
     TV deal.  Upshaw: "We're not willing to do that unless
     they're willing to be give us something in exchange, and so
     far they haven't been willing to do that."  He declined to
     say what the players would want, but said, "Uncapped years
     is a very big issue to us."  NFL Senior VP/Communications
     Joe Browne said league owners will discuss the CBA at their
     February 18 meeting in Dallas (WASHINGTON POST, 2/5). 

          At the conclusion of their three-day meetings in
     Scottsdale, AZ, NHL GMs recommended five rules changes for
     next season, according to Tim Tyers of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. 
     The league also announced that a "stricter standard for
     calling obstruction and interference away from the puck will
     be used when the NHL resumes play after" the Winter
     Olympics.  Some of the rules recommended for adoption
     include employing two referees and limiting the size of
     goalie equipment (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/5).  In Toronto, David
     Shoalts reports that "the most interesting changes were
     among six possible rule changes that will be used on an
     experimental basis" in the AHL and IHL later this season,
     including the elimination of the red line, which would speed
     up play in the neutral zone by eliminating the two-line pass
     (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/5).  The league "abandoned its idea for
     four quarters" (Bruce Garrioch, OTTAWA SUN, 2/5).

          In a profile of Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, Larry
     Platt writes that there are "those who believe that if no
     [MLB] commissioner is in place when Rendell's term expires
     in '99, Rendell would be interested."  If ever named,
     Rendell said he would hire Philadelphia Inquirer MLB writer
     Jayson Stark as his assistant (PHILADELPHIA, 2/98 issue).

          Warriors coach P.J. Carlesimo testified for seven hours
     yesterday at the Latrell Sprewell hearing, according to
     Athelia Knight of the WASHINGTON POST.  Also testifying on
     Wednesday was NBA Dir of Security Horace Balmer, who will
     resume his testimony this morning.  Commissioner David Stern
     "also is expected to testify" today (WASHINGTON POST, 2/5). 
     TBS' Craig Sager reported that Carlesimo "established that
     there was a second attack" by Sprewell and that he "did
     return, did swing at the coach, and did use the phrase,
     'I'll kill you.'"  Last week during his testimony, Sprewell
     "denied the second attack," saying he was held back by
     teammates before contact was made.  Sager noted that "under
     [CA] law it does not matter whether contact was made.  An
     assault is defined as an attempt."  Sager also reported,
     contrary to earlier reports, that Sprewell "didn't hang up
     the phone on Balmer and was cooperative" when Balmer called
     him to investigate the incident in December (TBS, 2/4).
          TENSIONS RISING? In San Jose, Jesse Barkin writes that
     Carlesimo had a "long day ... if cross-examination from
     [NBPA] attorney Jeffrey Kessler was anything like it has
     been for other witnesses."  Barkin quotes a witness as
     saying of Kessler, "At one point, I felt like punching the
     guy" (MERCURY NEWS, 2/5). In N.Y., Mike Wise reports that
     arbitrator John Feerick made a "slight modification" to his
     gag order, ruling that Stern, NBA Dep. Commissioner Russ
     Granik, NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter and a Warriors team rep
     "can state general beliefs or opinions about the case"
     during All-Star Weekend.  But, they can't give "any
     specifics" on the hearing or testimony (N.Y. TIMES, 2/5).

          These are "schizophrenic times for women's tennis,"
     according to SI's Jon Wertheim who examines the WTA Tour in
     "Scorecard."  Ratings and attendance are "at an all-time
     high," prize money "has doubled" since '89, and the game's
     "stable of young, marketable personalities has never been
     bigger."   One of new CEO Bart McGuire's "most urgent
     assignments" is to find a title sponsor to replace Corel,
     which did not renew its four-year, $12M contract after the
     '98 season.  A WTA "insider" said the Tour has "set a
     negotiating floor" of $8M a year with the next partner,
     adding "that pays all our administrative costs.  We're in
     big trouble without it."  In addition, a pending dispute
     over the make-up of the WTA Player's Board caused "rumors"
     at the Australian Open that "top players might form a tour
     of their own that would feature smaller draws and,
     consequently, bigger payouts."  IMG Senior Exec VP Bob Kain:
     "I don't necessarily think it will come to that, but it's
     definitely doable.  Historically, the top players have been
     very sensitive to players lower down, but this coup woke up
     the sleeping giants" (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 2/9 issue).