Approximately 83 percent of teenage girls play sports, with basketball as the top choice, according to a survey sponsored by Seventeen magazine and the WNBA.

“Sports can have a profound impact on the lives of teen girls, helping them grow into emotionally and physically strong young women,” Seventeen editor-in-chief Ann Shoket said. “The challenge of competing, the thrill of winning and the lessons of losing will stay with them forever.”

The top reasons given for playing sports included exercise, forming friendships, competing and representing their schools.

“We know firsthand how the role of sports can develop young girls into leaders,” WNBA President Donna Orender said. “The women of the WNBA are strong, passionate and determined individuals who exhibit these traits both on and off the court. As a result, we are true believers in the significance of participation in sports for all girls and women.”

Results of the survey were published in the September issue of the magazine, which hit newsstands last week.

TRIVIA TIME

How many countries are taking part at the Olympic Games in Beijing?

WRIGLEY AT WRIGLEY

Years before 7-year-old Wrigley was born, his father, Jerry Fields, says he'd already decided what he'd do. Coming from a family of Cubs fans and with his particular last name, he decided to name his first son after the Friendly Confines in Chicago.

Little Wrigley Fields will meet his destiny on Aug. 29 at a Cubs game against the Philadelphia Phillies when he'll throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field.

His mother, Kathy, initially thought Jerry was joking when he told her he wanted to name his first son Wrigley. But Jerry later stood firm when they found out they were having a boy.

EXTREME MAKEOVER

The Minnesota Timberwolves' extreme makeover is nearly complete.

A year after overhauling their roster and going with a youth movement, the Wolves yesterday unveiled a new look to go with their new team.

The primary colors of blue, green and black remain in the new uniforms. But the home uniforms pay homage to the first jerseys the team wore by reading “Wolves” on the front instead of “Timberwolves.”

And for the first time in franchise history, the road uniforms will have “Minnesota” scripted across the front instead of “Wolves” or “Timberwolves.”

DID YOU KNOW?

On this date in 1996, the Padres defeated the New York Mets 15-10 at Mexico's Estadio Monterrey, in the first major league regular-season game played outside the United States or Canada.

SIDELINE CHATTER

Dwight Perry of The Seattle Times writes: “Seven-time Tour de France champ Lance Armstrong is the biggest H2O consumer in Austin, Texas – earning himself a $1,630 bill for June after his 1.1-acre abode sucked up a whopping 222,900 gallons.

“So much for the notion that nobody goes through water faster than Michael Phelps. ”

TRIVIA ANSWER

More than 10,500 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees are at the Games.

– COMPILED BY P.K. DANIEL FROM NEWS SERVICES, ONLINE REPORTS