BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : DODGERS : Aug. 10 Forfeit to Cardinals Stands

There was more suspense in the Tyson-McNeely fight than National League President Len Coleman’s ruling, but he made it official, upholding the Dodgers’ forfeit to the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 10, when Los Angeles fans threw baseballs they received in a promotion onto the field.

“The safety of players, umpires and, of course, the fans themselves must be paramount,” Coleman wrote. “In a real sense it was fortuitous that no one was hurt; baseballs were thrown randomly onto the field, some from the upper deck. . . .

“I believe the conduct of several hundred fans on Aug. 10 created a sufficient danger that the umpire’s decision to forfeit the game was justifiable and correct.”

Dodger management was upset with the decision.

“I disagree with it and am disappointed in it,” said Fred Claire, executive vice president. “There was an opportunity to correct something that should have been corrected. My hope now is that this will lead to much clearer, precise guidelines on the forfeit rules. I hope something constructive comes out of it for the good of the game.”

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Outfielder Kevin Flora and pitcher Russ Springer didn’t want to leave the Angels, but now that they’ve been traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for Dave Gallagher, they realize it might be for the best.

Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi asked several times whether Flora wanted to be traded after the death of his wife in 1993. Flora steadfastly refused. Now, he realizes what he was missing.

“This has been everything I’ve dreamed,” said Flora, who is batting .389 in his last six games, with two homers and five RBIs. “I didn’t realize what a difference it would make being in a different organization. It’s like a fresh start.”

Said Springer, who was brought into Thursday’s game in the sixth inning and gave up a two-run homer to Delino DeShields in the seventh, “I have mixed feelings because those guys are in first place. I wanted to be a part of the playoffs. I’ve waited a long time for that.

“But maybe I needed this. I tried to make a big impression with those guys, but all I did was dig myself a big hole that I never came out of.”

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The number change became official Thursday: Brett Butler is again wearing No. 22 and Chad Fonville is wearing No. 3. . . . The Phillies received a notice from the league office to remind their mascot not to perform any stunts that might be offensive to Dodger starter Hideo Nomo or the large number of Asian-Americans expected to be in attendance tonight.