Idle chatter while waiting to see how the Red Sox fare this week ?Despite the fact that the Los Angeles Lakers are relentlessly catching up with the Celtics in overall NBA championships, they’ll never, ever BE the Celtics ? not when it comes to overall legacy and stature within the league.If you need any proof of that, take a look at the Celtics’ schedule this season. For the second year in a row, they’ll be in action on Christmas ? this time down in Orlando to play the Magic.Before anyone starts bemoaning the unfairness of forcing the Celtics to travel for two straight Yuletides, consider this: The NBA considers Christmas Day basketball an important marketing tool. The league promotes the game relentlessly, and considers it one of its true showcases. Why, I don’t know. But it does.For the 15 years the Celtics basically stunk up the league, they had every Christmas off. Of course, nobody cared whether they were off every other day, too, which is the price you pay for being wretched.Now, they’re something to talk about, especially with the addition of Rasheed Wallace to the fold. The Celtics were a little short in the big man department last spring against Orlando (PLEASE pardon the juxtaposition of words there!!), and it cost them. I’m sure the league sees Wallace back, and Garnett healthy, and wonders how bad a beating the Celtics would have put on the Magic if they were healthy. And it figures we’ll find out on Christmas Day.But again, before anyone starts complaining about the unfairness of it all, what would you rather have? A terrible team that has an extended vacation around Christmas? Or a relevant one that gives you something to actually DO around 6 p.m. Christmas night, after the presents are all opened?That’s a no-brainer as far as I’m concerned.While it was nice to see the 14-year-old Babe Ruth girls from Lynn do well in the New England Regionals this past weekend, it was also nice to see Wayne Kerrins in the middle of the picture that runs on Page B4 today.Kerrins, the manager, was part of the coaching staff that landed the Lynn Babe Ruth softball program its only World Series appearance – in 2000. Through the years, Kerrins has put in his time down there, and it’s nice to see a guy like him rewarded every now and then. Good show, Kerrins!Is there some kind of a rule somewhere that says all teenage boys have to throw helmets and bats, and curse out loud, when things don’t go their way in a baseball game?I saw two state championship Babe Ruth tournaments over the last couple of weeks, and it seems that kids everywhere – not just around here – just get totally out of control when the going gets rough. It’s not a comforting picture, let me tell you.Where did kids ever get the idea that such behavior was acceptable? Oh, I know. From their coaches. Because they’re just as bad.Having had plenty of experience at this on both ends – coaching and umpiring – I can attest that kids take their cues from their coaches. If the managers and coaches are constantly battling the umpires over slights real and/or imagined, their players will take note, and they’ll react the exact same way.And do you know what else happens? Kids absolutely take their eye off the ball, and focus more on the mean old umpires than they do the game.And guess what happens then? More often than not, they lose.From the sounds of things down in Foxborough, if you’re even a decent linebacker, hurry on down. Uncle Bill needs you!Steve Krause is sports editor of The Item.