FROM THE FIELD : OFF-COURT BATTLE GRABS HEADLINES.

Byline: PATRICK HIPES

The battle continued outside the volleyball arena Sunday, the exact place where it shouldn't.

While the Karch Kiralys and the Randy Stoklos of the world played in the AVP Hermosa Beach Grand Slam this weekend, the Association of Volleyball Professionals and the South Bay Coastal Alliance played their own version of bump, set and spike.

On one side, the AVP says it just wants to showcase the world's top players in the world's top league.

On the other, the SBCA, led by a 37-year old Grateful Dead fan and native Californian named Donley Falkenstien, has no problem with volleyball - instead, it's the noise, lack of beach access and commercialism that drives him crazy.

Crazy enough to take the AVP and the city of Manhattan Beach to court. Crazy enough to force the tour to move its most hallowed event - the Manhattan Beach Open - away from the site for the first time since it began in 1960.

``How long does this corporation think it can squat on our public beaches?'' Falkenstien asked, picketing at Hermosa Pier, mere blocks from his house. ``They have built their castles on a foundation of public sand.''

Inside the sold-out arena, the public address announcer made his own dig.

``A couple of squeaky wheels almost cost us this tournament,'' he said to the crowd during a timeout. ``Write your congressman, write your senator. Take those picket signs and shove them.'' The crowd cheered.

``Did you hear that?'' asked Falkenstien, about to be interviewed by a news camera crew. ``It's like I'm saying, they (the AVP) are promoting a lynch-mob mentality. But they don't scare me. All their threats go right off my shoulders.''

Unfortunately, amid the interviews, the loud music and the posturing, the AVP and the SBCA are forgetting the one thing that truly matters. The fans.

Because the AVP thought it could sell tickets to an event on a public beach, the SBCA got the Coastal Commission and the courts involved, ultimately forcing the Manhattan Beach Open's hasty move down the Strand, costing Manhattan residents and businesses their beloved tournament.

And because that wasn't enough for the SBCA, they now want big-time volleyball off the beaches permanently in Southern California, where it all began.

In both cases, the fans are the losers. The AVP could only erect a 4,000-seat venue for the Hermosa event. AVP chief executive officer Jerry Solomon said a 6,000-seat center court and two 1,000-seat arenas were planned in Manhattan.

The end result was hundreds of fans watching the event from behind fences, camera towers and grandstands. Those who did get in were forced to stay in their seats - a trip to the bathroom and you'd never see your spot again.

Falkenstien said he doesn't care what the AVP decides to do if it isn't allowed on the beaches. Solomon said the AVP doesn't pretend to please everyone.

They both better find a way to start.