The Day After, Dodgers Still Reeling From Forfeit Fallout : Baseball: Team files protest. Claire says it was sad for all involved.

The Dodgers, still trying to decide whether they should feel more embarrassed or just plain outraged over their forfeit Thursday night to the St. Louis Cardinals, filed an official protest Friday with the National League office.

“It’s a feeling of sadness for everybody involved,” said Fred Claire, Dodger executive vice president. “It’s a pretty empty feeling for everybody involved in playing the game and have somebody raise their hand and say, ‘It’s over.’ That’s sad. That’s disappointing.”

Yet, although the Dodgers regret the incident when a barrage of baseballs were thrown onto the field with one out in the ninth inning, they still don’t believe that first-base umpire Bob Davidson had the right to stop the game with the Cardinals ahead, 2-1.

“There have been a lot of things that have happened at ballparks this year,” Claire said, “but forfeits haven’t happened in ballparks. You shouldn’t have games decided by forfeits.

“We’d like the league to take in consideration everything that happened. I’m sure we’ll be heard.”

National League President Len Coleman has not discussed the incident with Claire or Dodger officials, but Katy Feeney, league vice president, said the league already has been briefed of the incident.

“Obviously, it was not the way you want to end the ballgame,” Feeney said, “but the umpires decided in their judgment that the situation was out of control. They weren’t just protecting the players, but the fans too.”

Said agent Dennis Gilbert, sitting in the third row with playwright Neil Simon: “It got pretty nasty. We looked up, and there were balls flying right over our heads. It was outrageous. It was a disgrace to baseball.”

Cardinal Manager Mike Jorgensen said the umpiring crew made the right decision pulling his team off the field. He was legitimately worried about his team’s safety.

“I think most of my players, once they realized what was happening,” Jorgensen said, “were relieved at the decision.”

Said Cardinal right fielder John Mabry: “I wasn’t too worried until a bottle of Southern Comfort flew out of the stands and hit me. I got hit by a rum bottle too.”

Said Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, Cardinal bullpen coach: “Dodger fans used to be among the best in baseball. I’m afraid you can’t say that anymore.”

The Dodger front office, meanwhile, spent most of the day in meetings to prevent further problems. It’s safe to say the Dodgers no longer will be giving away balls at Dodger Stadium, but probably will issue coupons for kids to pick up their free balls at stores, the same way they conduct bat night.

Said Dodger outfielder Chris Gwynn, who was hit in the head by an apple standing in the on-deck circle when the game was called: “It was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve been hit by worst things in San Francisco, but these are your own fans.”