BRAWLS WITH ASU ALL IN THE PAST?

Byline: ERIC SONDHEIMER

Red alert, red alert. Arizona State's baseball team is coming to town. Hide the kids, break out the crash helmets and load up on chewing tobacco.

The last time the Sun Devils came to Southern California, UCLA coach Gary Adams ordered one of his pitchers to intentionally hit an ASU batter in retaliation for the Sun Devils allegedly throwing at shortstop Troy Glaus. Before that, ASU and USC players were engaging in a bench-clearing brawl that resulted in player and coach suspensions.

For once, USC and UCLA fans were in unanimous agreement - they wanted to bash the Sun Devils.

This weekend, ASU comes to Dedeaux Field to open the Pacific-10 Conference Southern Division season with a three-game series against USC. Let's just say both teams have been warned to be on their best behavior. Additional security has been ordered as a precaution.

``I think it's going to be Sunday school,'' USC coach Mike Gillespie said. ``I trust that both schools will make it abundantly clear what's expected, what's demanded, what's not going to be acceptable. I will be surprised if there's any issue. What we've asked of our guys is that they understand they swallow their pride and walk away from a problem.''

In response to last year's incidents, Pac-10 administrators and coaches came up with suggestions to prevent further trouble this season.

Umpires have been told to strictly enforce the prohibition against verbal abuse, with the intention of ejecting players who ignore the rule. ``We've emphasized bench jockeying as something that cannot be tolerated,'' Pac-10 assistant commissioner Mike Matthews said.

A preseries statement will be read to both teams by the umpires about sportsmanship. Also, umpires will be judged by how well they control games. The Pac-10 has also hired observers to evaluate them.

``It's been reinforced that coaches are responsible for the actions of their teams and will be held to a high standard,'' Matthews said.

Carson is healing:Former Notre Dame High first baseman Glen Carson hit .351 last season at Nevada. He was expected to be a key player for the Wolf Pack this season.

Now, he's just hoping to get back onto the field.

The senior was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, which causes chronic inflammation of the intestine. He lost 40 pounds. Carson got better, then relapsed. On Dec. 31, he underwent surgery and had his appendix removed along with 10 inches of his intestine. He's on the mend now and will accompany Nevada to town this weekend in street clothes for a three-game series against Pepperdine. His availability this season remains uncertain.

``I'm just going to see how fast I heal,'' he said.

Valley Wolf Pack:Several former local players could be starting for Nevada against Pepperdine. They include Andy Dominique (Alemany) at catcher, David Brown (Royal) in center field and Justin Martin (El Camino Real) at second base.

Bruins power: UCLA scored 45 runs and had 49 hits in its three-game sweep of Hawaii last week in Honolulu. Glaus (7 for 12) and Eric Valent (7 for 14) were the big hitters.

Coming back: UCLA pitcher John Phillips, who had Tommy John reconstructive surgery last January, has been given clearance to resume pitching on the mound. ``The doctors are claiming this is the fastest recovery they've seen,'' Adams said.

Dealing with Las Vegas: UCLA plays in Las Vegas this weekend. When asked how he makes sure his players stay out of trouble, Adams said, ``We have no curfew the first night. You give them all their meal money the first night. They'll lose it all, then you don't have to worry about them staying out.''