CYBERSPORT : FOR THOSE LOYAL TO ORANGE-&-WHITE BALLS.

Byline: - Tom Hoffarth

Connecting directly with its fans is what the Women's National Basketball Association wants to be all about, and with its official league Web site (http://www.wnba.com) it continues to fulfill its mission statement.

For a pro league that will likely be slighted by most mainstream media, the redesigned site constructed and maintained by ESPN Internet Ventures takes advantage of its interactive elements by including a chat and mailbox area to e-mail players and teams, as well as a sign-up for weekly e-mail from the league. The Sparks' Ukari Figgs has the weekly e-mail responses up now.

Also for the first time an audio season pass, which, for $8, gives you access to every game's radio feed through RealAudio. A game of the week will be broadcast free.

And there's a link to the Los Angeles Sparks' official site (www.wnba.com/sparks).

Responding to suggestions that it let people know when its games are on TV, the United States Soccer Federation site (http://www.us-soccer.com) offers a program where it'll send you an e-mail reminder two weeks before a telecast and then two to three days before. Register for the ``Turn Us On'' program on the site, which should come in handy when the Women's World Cup begins June 19.