Fans of the XFL fear no more. “A whole new ball game” is coming your way. It’s supposed to be fun.

It’s supposed to be something new.

Cable network TNN calls it “a different twist on a sport.”

It may just be the next big thing, and it’s making its way into your living room.

The game?

None other than Slamball.

Played on a specialized surface that incorporates trampolines, Slamball will be making its debut in July as part of TNN’s Slammin’ Saturday Nights lineup – right alongside “Robot Wars” and the WWF’s “WWF Excess.”

With the addition of this “happening new sport,” the only thing that may be missing from TNN’s Saturday nights is the national rodeo championships or some good old NASCAR racing.

The idea behind the game is a rather simple one.

Slamball will see six teams of four compete in a round-robin tournament for the championship.

Two teams will engage in a high-intensity, full-contact, 16-minute game on a surface roughly the size of a basketball court.

The court will have four trampolines built into it around each basket.

The rest of the court will be spring-loaded and shock-absorbent, and a 12-foot-high plexiglass wall will surround the playing area.

The object of the game? To score the most points, of course.

“Slamball represents what we’re looking for for Saturday nights on TNN,” said Jim Burns, TNN’s senior VP of current series and sports programming, in an interview with Daily Variety.

“We’re not going to get the NFL or baseball – those things are locked up for years and years and years. They also don’t offer what we want, which is to be innovative, edgy and something unexpected,” Burns added.

“This gives you a different twist on a sport. … It’s something that our target 25- to 34-year-olds will hopefully be attracted to.”

Burns seems to have faith in his network – the same network who has brought the public such shows as “Baywatch” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

Who knew they’d ever show any real sports like Slamball.

Not only that but Slamball may be around longer than the XFL, an extreme football league which died out after one season.

After the initial season, developers plan to showcase the sport in parks across the country, as well as making it part of a 12-team national league.

Watch out NBA, you may have a competitor in the coming years.

While the XFL had Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura do their color commentary, Slamball will have former NBA star and Fox broadcaster Reggie Theus do theirs.

Broadcaster Pat Parnell will do the play-by-play while Soul Train’s Mystro Clark and Jaime Little from Clear Channel’s motorcross racing programming will work as the sideline reporters.

No word yet if there will be half-naked cheerleaders present on the sidelines.

And if all that’s not enough to sell itself, Slamball has brought a bonafide celebrity on board.

Does the name Pat Croce ring a bell?

That’s right former 76ers president, NBC Sports commentator, karate champion, fitness guru and amateur stuntman Pat Croce.

Croce is the man who once broke up a knife fight while showing a Hollywood producer around town.

Not only that, but he delivered the weapon to the police department himself.

What better person to promote Slamball?

Even if it doesn’t turn out to be good, quality entertainment, at least fans will learn to expect the unexpected.

Emily Arthur is a junior in journalism and mass communications from Clark, S.D. She is the assistant sports editor of the Daily.