Selection Committee, Steve Bean has a tough decision to make today.

He better get used to it.

As captain of Bermuda's 1997 Davis Cup entry, Bean is charged not only with preparing the four-man squad for the American Zone Group IV tie but also with the day-to-day strategies over the week-long tournament.

That the competition is being held here for the first time only serves to add importance to the decision-making process -- beginning today when Bean, director Alan Simmons, Suzette Fisher, Billy Way Sr., Jerome Bradshaw and BLTA president David Lambert decide just who will represent the Island in two months' time.

Almost certain to head the list are Michael Way, the Island's top-ranked player and a veteran of Bermuda's previous two Davis Cups, and Donald Evans, now recovered from a serious knee injury and a member of the 1995 squad. James Collieson and Ricky Mallory -- both of whom also took part in last year's tie -- figure to get the other two spots.

Also in contention are Jensen Bascome, who is probably still a year away, and doubles specialist Stuart Smith.

No matter who is on the team, Bean expects not only continued improvement in the Island's third Davis Cup but, more importantly, advancement into Group III, which is being held in Bermuda simultaneous to Group IV.

"I don't think we'll lose twice,'' he said, referring to ties against Costa Rica and the Eastern Caribbean. The top two Group IV teams get promoted, displacing the bottom two teams from Group III.

And Bean, a member of the previous two Davis Cup squads, has a pretty good idea of what it will take.

With the exception of Collieson -- who attends and plays for Auburn University in Alabama -- and Evans -- who works in Washington, DC -- Bean has been working the Davis Cup candidates four times a week at the Southampton Princess, which just happens to be the site of the April 27-May 3 event.

"Home court advantage,'' he says with a laugh. "We want to make the most of the situation.'' So far he likes what he sees, particularly from a team standpoint, which, when dealing with several different personalities, isn't always easy.

"Tennis is largely an individual sport (but) it's amazing to see how rivals can come together,'' he said. "Most of these guys have been at each other since they were juniors. (Now) it's a different feeling. It's a real team effort.'' Bean admits he might be forced into an unpopular choice when determining which players actually take to the court. That's why he intends on meeting with the entire squad every night during the tournament. "I want to make sure they all are involved in the decision-making,'' he said.

There will be no such committee during the matches, however: As captain, Bean is the team representative allowed to approach the chair umpire, and the only one allowed to talk to players during the game.

This year will see a slight change from previous Davis Cups. In an effort to speed up the game, there is no longer a let rule on serves. Best of three sets remain.