FALMOUTH, Mass. (AP) - John F. ''Red'' Flaherty, a former American League baseball umpire, died April 1 after a lengthy illness. He was 81.

     Flaherty worked four World Series in his 21-year big league career that began in 1952.

     In 1954 Flaherty found himself in the limelight again when he was officiating at a game between the Washington Senators and the New York Yankees.

     He called a Senators' base runner ''out'' at home plate when he tried to score from second on a single. Attending the game was President Eisenhower, who yelled out, ''No!''

Later in the locker room, Flaherty was asked whether Eisenhower's displeasure made him rethink his position.

''No,'' Flaherty said. ''It wasn't even close.''