BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE MAJORS : Balls Rain Down and Cause a Delay

The game between the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves was delayed five minutes because fans in the left-field area at Candlestick Park showered the field with souvenir baseballs.

Dozens of baseballs, part of a promotional giveaway, were thrown onto the field after a three-run homer by Brave catcher Greg Olson.

Manager Dusty Baker of the Giants ordered his players off the field until order was restored, but the three outfielders remained and helped clear the field of baseballs.

Giant management said Saturday that it is considering banning beer sales in the new left-field bleachers, but a six-run Atlanta rally in the fourth inning appeared to be the reason--not alcohol--for the incident.