SUMMERTIME, AND THE LIVING IS SPORTY.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

Get in the mood, the time is here. Think swaying palms and warm sunshine. Picnics at the park, lazy days at the beach, Sunday barbecues, in-laws who won't leave.

For many in Southern California, today is the final day of school. Which means it's the official start of summer, no matter what the calendar says.

When the kids start hanging around the house 24-7, that's summer. And summer doesn't have to be simply about overstuffed minivans and sand so hot it feels like it burns through five layers of your heel.

Put down the amusement-park guide, the inflated pool toys, the greasy suntan lotion and remember ... summer also is about sports.

Nobody does summer better than Southern California, but that doesn't mean we have to lose touch with our sporting side, locally and nationally.

The summer solstice really commences this afternoon when our youth gleefully rush home, eager for three months of video games, superhero movies, squirt-gun fights and junk food you wouldn't wish on a hippo.

Just remember, there also is plenty of sporting entertainment to observe and follow. A quick guide to the summer's coming sports stories:

Those notorious Angels tick off the Marlins tonight. Hey, they are up next.

What is it about the Angels, led by the straightlaced Mike Scioscia and Bill Stoneman and with a clubhouse of quality people, that they're involved in more weekly scraps than the Olympic Auditorium in its hay day?

Brendan Donnelly and White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen? Darin Erstad and the Atlanta Braves? Scioscia and 69-year-old Frank ``The Intimidator'' Robinson?

Salty Scioscia, ironically the king of gamesmanship, overreacts, and then Robinson, who has never been accused of failing to take himself seriously, really overreacts.

Florida's 74-year-old manager Jack McKeon best be ready to bring it.

The NBA Finals end.

And not a day too soon.

For something different, all you former grimmies dust off your St. Christopher medals and head to the U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach beginning July 23.

They put up bleachers and everything. If the waves are down, been told the viewing still is commendable.

The Dodgers, who prefer to leave their fighting in the stands, return from another disappointing trip and limp home vowing to turn things around on this homestand.

No, really, this time it will be different.

The NBA locks out its players.

You know, there's just never enough money to go around.

This go-around, the issue will be really important, like who will sponsor the lobbyists to overthrow the alternative minimum tax.

David Stern and Billy Hunter will take turns saying silly things, and then everything will get resolved just prior to training camp when they suddenly all realize: Wait a minute, we're already filthy rich.

On July 21 the New York Yankees open a three-game series in Anaheim. With any luck at all, the Yankees will still be battling Toronto for third place in the AL East. Summer is hard to get better than that.

Also, note that three days earlier, Yankees manager Joe Torre will turn 65, making him just eligible for some face-to-face with Scioscia.

Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant finally do lunch.

Phil diagrams new triangle offense using Cobb salad. Kobe miffed he's not the big avocado.

The AVP makes the first of its three-stop area tour beginning July 21 south of the pier at Hermosa Beach. It moves to Huntington Beach Aug. 11 and to Manhattan Beach Aug. 18.

Sand, sun, the young in swimsuits, ocean breezes, beach volleyball. It's like the ultimate summer happening.

And a hot tip: Heard this Misty May/Kerri Walsh team has a chance in the women's division.

What's summer without some 11- and 12-year-olds trying to play pressure-packed baseball on national television?

Some team is going to advance out of the local regions to compete in San Bernardino, with a chance to win and move onto the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., and get the snot beat out of them in the title game.

There's another golf tournament.

There is always another golf tournament.

Football camp opens for the two-time national champion USC Trojans.

St. Pete Carroll and the boys are expected to begin the season again ranked No. 1, even with Heisman-winner Matt Leinart's surgically repaired throwing elbow.

Most of his defensive starters and several key coaches are gone, but this is an L.A. love story with no end in sight.

Football camp opens for the UCLA Bruins.

An L.A. story still in search of itself.

NFL camps open.

Didn't say you were supposed to get excited about everything.

Also, the NFL announces it will meet soon to discuss this L.A. situation.

The Dodgers return home after a miserable two-city stop, still just over .500, and announce on this homestand they really will get things turned around.

Hee-Seop Choi ends a 1-for-27 skid by hitting 19 home runs in three days.

The Lakers head to Hawaii for training camp. Phil and Kobe are seen walking down the runway holding hands.

School starts Sept. 5, the official sad end to another summer. In-laws won't move out.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

There's so much to do in Southern California this summer, even the birds - and the surfers - can't wait.

David McNew/Getty Images