Training camp for sportscasters.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Karen Heller

PHILADELPHIA _ `Is Larry Brown ever going to be happy?" Jason asks.

An itchy hand shoots up from another intrepid reporter, in basketball jersey and baseball cap: "You think the Sixers are ever going to trade Keith Van Horn?" Jake asks. "I don't like him."

Here's Justin: "Is Philadelphia cursed?" And a follow-up: "Which Philadelphia team is closest to winning a championship, if any?"

It's a mock press conference, one of many, where campers _ yes, campers _ ages 10 to 17, mostly boys, virtually all in jerseys and caps and chunky NBA-endorsed footgear, learn to pester coaches, annoy athletes, call plays, spin stats, trade quips, and look natural in front of those most unnatural of devices, a microphone and camera.

Incidentally, the answers: Only on payday, possibly, maybe, the Flyers.

In this era when there's a summer program serving every wish and whim, someone was bound to create Sports Broadcasting Camp. Last year, Jeremy Treatman did.