Meanwhile, in the Stands.....

The race for the pennant was on, and the fans were loving it. Attendance at Dodger Stadium increased 17% from the first month of post-strike play to an average of 41,600 by the end of August. The Dodgers posted six sellouts, with rookie Hideo Nomo pitching the one sellout that was not a promotional night. In addition to ticket sales--an average of 43,000 watched Nomo pitch his first 10 home starts--the fans made their presence felt in other ways. Early last month, during an autographed ball promotion night, they littered the field in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, leading to a forfeit. “We want them to keep coming out, but just leave your balls at home,” catcher Mike Piazza told reporters.