As the winter indoor tennis games wind down, the spring outdoor games begin. The real "boys of summer" are home at last.

As the sun warms the chests of those left behind by the Florida émigrés, they reach for their tennis rackets and sneakers. The Florida returnees do not miss a step and return to form in the north. The games are a little ragged at first. The newly rolled courts supply no bounce and the balls hit without gusto, die and wane rapidly. The players, almost to a man, are hacking and coughing loudly to beat the band. Many tales of illness, doctors and hospitals are told as the players cross sides on the odd points. Medicines are also a much-discussed item as everybody has a sure cure. Chicken soup seems to be the favorite.

A few former stalwarts have not returned as yet.

The age factor has begun to set in and minor health problems now begin to assume a more realistic history. One does not recover as rapidly from bumps and bruises and rehabilitation is slower and sadder.

One player slips and falls and everything halts.

Not a serious injury, "Thank God."

Set up the schedules - cross off the days that you can't play and here we go!

Let the games begin!

Correction:

I wish to correct the excellent guide on the Soprano tour article of April 7. He stated that "David Chase chose only Italians to play Italians on the show." The guide also stated that "David Chase wanted only actors from the New York and New Jersey areas for his show."

Three exceptions to the rule:

A. Jamie-Lynn Sigler (Meadow) is not Italian - she said in an interview she is part Greek, part Romanian, part Cuban and part Sephardic Jew. I know she is Jewish because she sang in my Temple Beth Torah choir for many years. However, she is truly a Mediterranean beauty and a brilliant actor.

B. Robert Iler (A.J. Soprano) is also not Italian.

C. Steve Van Zandt (consiglieri - Silvio Dante) is not Italian.

However, all three fit the casting roles expertly, so there should be no quibbling.

If you find any other errors e-mail me at shgreenbug@aol.com. If by mail, include address and phone number.