Blotter

Acquiesced
?The Braves, to commissioner Bud Selig 's request that, out of respect for the victims of Sept. 11, victorious postseason teams refrain from the traditional locker room champagne celebration. After sweeping the Astros in the division playoffs, the Braves doused one another with beer. The Diamondbacks , however, popped the cork on the real bubbly on Sunday.

Denied
?A request by U.S. Speedskating for an exception to new FAA rules governing carry-on articles, to allow skaters to take their equipment with them in the passenger compartment on airline flights. The athletes fear their razor-sharp blades might be damaged if transported as checked baggage.

Sought
?By French insurance giant AXA, the renegotiation of its contract to provide coverage for next year's World Cup soccer tournament in Japan and South Korea , because of heightened risks following the Sept. 11 attacks. AXA says it will pull out of its contract, which was to have insured the tournament for more than $850 million against various risks including terrorism, on Nov. 11 unless a new deal is struck. FIFA has paid more than $10 million of its $17 million premium.

Welcomed
? Jack Nicklaus , as a member of the Augusta National Golf Club , where he won six Masters titles. He and Arnold Palmer are the only Masters champions who are members.

Rebuffed
? Rochester , N.Y., radio station WHAM-AM's request to carry Chargers games. San Diego team officials say they have no interest in intruding on the Bills' traditional turf. Both WHAM and Rochester 's CBS TV affiliate say they've been deluged with requests—many of them from female Doug Flutie fans—to carry Chargers games.