ROTO RAP BY ROGER KUZNIA

As a youngster, I often would challenge my dad to games of chess. Because he was a master of the game, it usually took about five minutes before he had captured my queen.

As tears welled in my eyes, he would roar with laughter because he knew victory was inevitable. In less than gentlemanly fashion, I would end the game by sweeping the pieces off the board and storming away. Disgusted, my dad would say nothing, no doubt disappointed by my lack of sportsmanship.

Being a good sport is important in any game, including fantasy baseball. No matter how far your team is out of first place, you owe it to the other league members to play out the season to the best of your ability.

I've been in fantasy leagues where owners have done their own "sweeping"--by placing their players on waivers and quitting the league altogether. Headaches inevitably follow as the remaining owners try to decide how to equitably divide the available talent. No matter how fair the process, someone always feels as if he is getting the shaft. It becomes even more of an issue when the supplemental draft costs an owner the championship.

It might feel good to flush your roster of disappointing players such as Angel Berroa and lose Vidro if you are in last place, but you lose the respect of everyone in the league when you do so. That's even more critical when you're playing among friends. Your behavior could cost you a return invitation for next year, when you're excited to play again and are optimistic you might win.

If you're on the fence about giving up, don't. If you've already crossed that line, consider extending an olive branch to those you've offended. It's called Basic Fantasy Baseball Season 2.

To set up your team and invite your friends to play, simply visit TSN's games page (http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com). It's free, the slate is clean, and you can work on repairing your image. This salary cap-style game is every bit as challenging as its Rotisserie counterparts, and what you learned from your earlier league could help you win this one.

M@il bonding

CHRIS BAHR ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

I recently acquired Bret Boone, who is off to a slow start. What are his chances of turning things around?

Michael Puntschenko, Syracuse, N.Y.