n June 2003 the editors of Referee picked Carl Childress' Baseball Rule Differences (the BRD) as one of the essential books for umpires.

In December 2003 the editors listed Carl Childress as one of the eight officials they'd most like to have a beer with.

On behalf of Carl we send thanks to Bill Topp and all the guys and gals in Franksville, Wisconsin.

And we'd like them to know that:

The 2004 BRD will ship in mid-January: This year, Carl won't finalize the mansucript until January 6. That will alow him to include the latest NCAA rulings from their national clinic in San Antonio.

BUT:

There is no chance anyone at Referee will ever get to have a beer with Carl.

That's because he has atrial fibrillation. His doctor said a few drinks wouldn't hurt, but Carl's wife, Elizabeth, researched the condition on the Internet. Her second opinion carried the day: No more alcohol for Carl. He simply doesn't drink any more.

As Bill will remember from some of the NASO conventions, that means Carl drinks a whole lot less!