HE'S IN TOWN FOR HIS FAVORITE THING.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH MEDIA

Patrick McEnroe was already hanging out in Los Angeles this week -- he had babysitting duties for his 3-month old daughter Victoria while his wife, the acclaimed actress and singer Melissa Errico, was rehearsing for this weekend's performances at the Hollywood Bowl starring as Maria in ``The Sound of Music.''

Even so, the sound of a few sets of tennis at UCLA was ``kind of getting in the way a bit,'' he admitted.

But a Davis Cup captain and ESPN2 analyst has to do what he's got to do. For McEnroe, part of the network's coverage with Cliff Drysdale and Pam Shriver today through Sunday's final at the ATP Countrywide Classic, it's the sight of another baby in his sport that has him drooling.

Sam Querrey, the 18-year-old budding star from Thousand Oaks, has tagged along with McEnroe's U.S. Davis Cup team last year in Belgium and this past April at Rancho Mirage to serve as a warm-up partner and comic relief for Andy Roddick, James Blake and the Bryan twins. On the current Davis Cup depth chart, Querrey has a few notches to climb, but it's McEnroe's job to monitor his growth spurts and keep him on the radar for the eventual day when that berth opens.

``He'll be a legitimate choice for me soon -- he's not quite there yet, but I could envision a spot for him in a year's time, and I hope I'm still around when he makes it,'' McEnroe said of a Davis Cup opening for Querrey, who lost to Dmitry Tursunov on Thursday at the Los Angeles Tennis Center.

``I mentioned that to him to the other day when I saw him, that he's doing well, doing it right, working his way to really being on the team,'' McEnroe added, ``and he said, `Yup, that's what I want.' Not being cocky or anything, he hopes to get there.

``He's just a great kid, very composed, quick-witted and grounded, just soaked up being around Roddick and those guys. He understands how to work a point and know all the angles for someone his (6-foot-6) size, like a Todd Martin. I love his game, and when you're moving up the rankings as fast as he is, it means you're legit.''

Just as legit, in McEnroe's eyes, is the implementation of the Hawk-Eye instant replay computer system used in all U.S. Open series events. McEnroe, whose older brother John could have benefited from the new chair challenges years ago, endorses the technology, even if some of the players are still weighing the pros and cons.

``For too long, I think we ignored the fans and forgot what it is to make the game more interesting for them, whether they're at the stadium or on TV,'' McEnroe said. ``Great players aren't enough. We needed to make enhancements and change with the times, and so far this has worked well. There's no wasted time in replays like with the NFL, and everyone gets to see it, so they're into it.

``The bottom line can't be about the players liking it -- I'm glad most of them do -- but it's selling the game to the public. Maybe it's not a cure- all, but it's going in the right direction.''

A five-ring circus on its own network?

The U.S. Olympic Committee continues to make noise about launching its own TV channel -- the U.S. Olympic Sports Network is the catchy working title they're bouncing around right now -- but meanwhile, coverage next week from the ConocoPhillips U.S. National Swimming Championships in Irvine (Aug. 1-5) featuring Natalie Coughlin and Michael Phelps, will be free on the World Championship Sports Network's Web site (www.WCSN.com), with highlight packages the first two nights and live Web casts the final three nights.

The Santa Monica-based WCSN, which also has studios in Bethesda, Md., is a multi-platform network that already has agreements with 25 international sports federations as well as a partnership with MLB's advanced media. Its TV coverage of the swimming championships is offered to cable partners such as the Altitude Sports and Entertainment, Comcast SportsNet West and SportsNet New York.

Currently, WCSN.com offers a monthy ($4.95) and annual ($49.95) pass to view online video of the type of events that a USOC channel would most likely cover, such as track and field, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, volleyball, etc.

Meanwhile, the USOC's threat of a single 24-hour channel that could help make the Olympics more valuable to TV network bidding as well as expose the sports on a regular basis continues on in the yacking stages.

``We think by aggregating it under one channel we'll have a more cost- effective way for (each national governing body of individual sports) to air their sports,'' USOC chief executive Jim Scheer told the Associated Press recently. ``That gives them a greater ability to build an audience.''

The TV negotiation rights for the 2014 Olympic Games and beyond could start as early as next year.

Veteran NASCAR analyst Benny Parsons, who began treatments Wednesday for recently discovered lung cancer, plans to resume his broadcast duties as scheduled with the Nextel Cup Allstate 400 at the Brickyard from Indianapolis on Aug. 6, which NBC will televise.

``Everyone I work with has been gracious and accommodating,'' Parsons said. ``I plan to keep on talking about racing for as long as I can.''

Those who want to email Parsons can do so at [e-mail] or to a special message board at NASCAR.com.

``One of Benny's greatest qualities is how unconditionally supportive he is to the racing community,'' NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol said in a statement. ``Now it's our turn to provide that support to him.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1) ESPN2 tennis analyst Patrick McEnroe (right), interviewing Andy Roddick, is intrigued with young U.S. prospect Sam Querrey.

Nick Laham/Getty Images

(2) no caption (Michael Phelps)

Box:

(1) WHAT SMOKES

(2) WHAT CHOKES