BIRMINGHAM NOTEBOOK: WR WARD SUSPENDED FOR FINAL.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Bennie Ward, a Birmingham of Lake Balboa wide receiver, has been suspended for Friday's City Section final against Taft of Woodland Hills for his part in a fight last week.

Birmingham coach Ed Croson and one of his assistants will meet with City Section officials today to make a case for Ward's reinstatement. City Section assistant commissioner Jeff Halpern confirmed Tuesday a player had been suspended.

``There's another side to the story,'' Croson said. ``The kid's not hauling off throwing punches. A guy had him by the facemask. They're going to review it. They're going to give us a chance to talk about it. I think there's a couple different perspectives.''

Last week, a fight ensued after a penalty during the Birmingham-Gardena playoff game. A Taft scout was filming the game, and Taft officials forwarded the tape of the incident to the City Section office.

``I think it's an unfortunate situation (that Ward was suspended), but as coaches and schools we have to have zero tolerance on these incidents,'' Taft coach Troy Starr said. ``I can't emphasize enough that these incidents cannot be brushed underneath the carpet.''

Birmingham athletic director Rick Prizant called City Section officials to request a meeting. Croson said he wants to review the tape with them.

Ward is a big part of the Patriots' offense; he's a starting receiver and also plays on most of the special-teams units. Ward worked out with the team Tuesday.

``Bottom line is there's a kid that's going through hell, and he deserves to play,'' Croson said. ``We're going to take our best shot. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.''

--Keyes to success: Star running back Dennis Keyes might be an easy- going, laid-back guy off the field. But on it, he's quite the perfectionist, according to his sister Mimi.

Mimi, a freshman manager for Birmingham, sees his work ethic first-hand from the sideline in practice every day.

``It's interesting because a lot of people don't see another side of him,'' Keyes said. ``We see how they act during practice, and they change a lot when they're in uniform.

``He's into making sure everything he does is perfect and making sure everyone else does their job.''

Keyes also watches his sister from time to time during practice to make sure she's OK, especially if any of his teammates are chatting with her.

``I'm the little sister,'' Mimi Keyes said. ``He has to protect me.''

--Hop on the bus, Gus: Croson might not have the most fashionable of vehicles, but it gets him where he needs to go. Well, sometimes.

Croson drives a 1975 Volkswagon bus that seats eight people. He paid $800 for it. It has no air conditioning or heat. Sometimes, he has to get players to help him push it if it breaks down. But he loves it.

``It's simple,'' Croson said. ``It won't let you down. With my old car, I was worried about scratches and if the windows wouldn't work. My car is worry-free. I don't stress. The only stress is (football).''

--Pretty in pink?! Keyes and receiver Chad Green both sport backpacks that are black and pink. When asked whether teammates give them a hard time about their fashionable gear, Green said not at all.

``We like to be different,'' he said, as Keyes kicked around his backpack on the field.

Of course, it would be difficult to jest with players who probably are headed to Pacific-10 Conference schools on scholarship next year, unique fashion sense and all.

--Practice makes perfect: Birmingham had a light 45-minute-or-so practice Tuesday because of a staff-development day. The Patriots will return to full practice today.

They practiced without pads Monday, leaving two days in pads before Friday's game.

``We're in week 45 (of football) with weights and training and everything we do,'' Croson said. ``If you're not in shape now, you're not going to be in shape. It's intellectual more than anything at this point.''

--Odds and ends: Keyes, who was sick Monday, is expected to be fine for the game. ... Stefen Rubinfeld (knee) is probable.