So you're sitting in the stands at the Coliseum, bending back a cold one and watching the Mad Ants play, and your buddy next to you keeps ragging your ear that he could play with these guys.

OK kids, here's your chance.

Open tryouts for a spot to play in the Mad Ants camp will be held Oct. 16-17 at the Wambsganss gym on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary.

That's a Saturday and Sunday. If that's a hassle, and you have trouble getting weekends free, then you couldn't play in the NBA D-League anyway. See, watching the D-League games is a fairly popular weekend activity around the country.

So here's a chance to put up or shut up on your talent issue.

First of all, put up the $150, because that's what it costs for the chance to play in the D-League. Show up on Oct. 16, and the price jumps to $200, so to save 50 bucks, preregister by going on line at www.fortwaynehoops.com.

And don't use the "it's all politics" line, because this is the real deal. Ron Howard, who played at Valparaiso, showed up four years ago, made the Ants, got an invitation to the New York Knicks camp, and will make decent coin playing in Europe this season. Even a kid from IPFW - DeWitt Scott - has played for two seasons after impressing the coaches at the open tryout.