Heat after asking for -- and being granted -- waivers by the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) outfit.

Already on the disabled list due to a nagging lower back injury, Bascome explained that he approached team officials earlier in the week about making the move, which would allow them to add another player to the roster.

"Because of my injury I went to them and asked for it,'' said Bascome yesterday from his Harrisburg, Pennsylvania home. "I got my lawyer to check on things and I'm still getting paid my full salary, but they (Harrisburg) can now bring somebody else in.

"I don't want the people back home getting overly concerned and upset, because it's not as bad as it seems. I made the decision and I have no regrets.'' A team signing a player off the waiver wire before that player clears it -- the whole process takes about two days -- must compensate the player's former club. But after that period he becomes a free agent, and is then able to sign with any team.

Surgery may be required to correct a lingering ailment that has caused Bascome to miss much of the last two seasons.

Bascome's doctor, Thomas Yucha, has advised the Bermudian to discontinue playing and have the operation. The player, however, has not yet made a final decision.

"It's no big thing,'' said Bascome, sounding optimistic. "Everything should work out. He's (Yucha) had great success in the past with this type of surgery, my only concern is how long I'd be out.

"If things go right I could be back by the end of the season and Harrisburg's already looking for me to come back.'' Heat spokesman Greg Cook confirmed Bascome's statements, saying the parting was amicable and that Bascome was expected to remain in Harrisburg until the end of the season.

"We were informed that he was in need of back surgery for an injury incurred prior to coming to Harrisburg,'' Cook said. "He's already receiving a form of workmen's compensation and so we took this action.'' Saddled with the bill is the NPSL, which took over the now-defunct Denver Thunder franchise, which would have otherwise been liable for Bascome's salary and any medical expenses.

The midfielder was on loan to the Colorado organisation last year when the back problem originally flared up, before returning to Harrisburg for the 1993-94 campaign.

After resting over the summer, Bascome played without any problems for the first few matches before the pain returned.

Offers for Bascome's services poured in once his name hit the waiver wire, with Canton and Detroit among teams making inquiries.

Said Bascome: "At least it was a good sign that if I do get released there are teams out there that would still want me, but right now my health comes first.

"Everything is up in the air and it all depends on success from the operation. I'll be either at Harrisburg next year or somewhere else.'' Other possibilities were for him to join a franchise connected with the Continental Indoor Soccer League at the end of the NPSL season or perhaps playing outdoors during the summer.

This year has been an eventful one for Bascome and the Heat, but also a disappointing one.

The team made headlines last month when the team bus was destroyed after it caught fire en route to a game in Dayton, Ohio. Much of the team's equipment was lost in the blaze. Luckily no one was hurt.

After qualifying for the play-offs last season the club is now floundering at the bottom of the six-team American Division with a 2-7 record.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that Bascome, a former North Village and Boulevard player, had received his first coaching assignment, being named as an assistant to fellow Heat member Mark Pulisic at Lebanon Valley College, a Division III institution.

Pulisic is due on the Island sometime during the summer as a guest at the annual soccer clinic for youngsters put on by Bascome and English pro Shawn Goater, as well as to scout for scholarship prospects.

DAVID BASCOME -- Bermudian professional, right, was released by th e Harrisburg Heat yesterday and now faces surgery because of a chronic back problem.