Carl Childress Launches New Website

[Carl Childress]

After all these years, I’m launching my own website. It’s carlsbrd.com You’ll find everything you need to know about getting the BRD, other books by me, and DVDs. Standard mechanics tips. Rules problems solved 3 times a week. Post your pictures inside the Photo Gallery.

Is the BRD (Baseball Rule Differences) an important book?

In 2003, Referee Magazine named the BRD one of a baseball umpire’s “essential†books.

Also that year, they named me as one of the 8 umpires Referee editors would most like to have a beer with. But therein lies a sad tale.

I was a featured speaker at seven NASO conventions (St. Louis ‘86; San Francisco ‘87; San Antonio ‘89; Washington ‘90; New Orleans ‘91; Orlando ‘93; and San Diego ‘94). Barry Mano always booked my room near the elevators so convention staff members didn’t have to drag me too far. A heart arrhythmia prevents me from using alcohol these days.

carlsbrd.com is up and running for business and pleasure. I have reviews of the BRD by Jay Miner of Referee; Richard Fronheiser, regular contributor to Officiating.com; Hunter Wendelstedt, whom you know since he's a sponsor of this website; Jim Paronto, the NCAA rules editor; and Scott Ehret of Gerry Davis Sports. I began offering a mimeographed paper listing the differences among “FED, COL, and PRO†in 1982. Scott sold the idea to Barry Mano, and the first “book-length,†published BRD appeared in time for the 1989 season.

BTW: This year I replaced the "authoritative opinion" of Rick Roder with the official interpretations of Hunter and his staff.

Three of my books (the BRD, Baseball Umpires Encyclopedia, and Calling All Umps!) are available at Amazon.com. Two other books and DVDs you purchase directly from me via PayPal.

My standard guarantee applies to anything listed for sale at carlsbrd.com: Buy the book and look it over. If you don’t like it, send me the name of your PayPal account, and I’ll refund your money. You can keep the book. Or DVD. That goes as well for anything of mine you buy from Amazon.

I’m not a rookie at building a website, but I’m not a professional webmaster either. If you see anything that doesn’t work or that looks / sounds stupid, email me.

One final point: I believe you can help me raise the level of amateur umpiring if you share my URL with your umpire friends. Please send me website information where this announcement would be welcome.

I’ll make a little money to replace my game fees – I retired on April 27 this year – and amateur umpires will find out about another site dedicated to helping them improve their craft.

Everybody wins.

Thanks for your interest and your help.

Oh, Warren will have an announcement soon that will make everyone feel bette

[UmpJM]

Carl,

I would say the BRD is not just an "important" book - it's an essential book.

Glad I got to have a beer with you before that wimp doctor suggested that wasn't good for you (have you checked his license?).

So, what was the final total of games you worked before retiring?

Take care.

John Muller

[Umpire in Chief]

Carl has been generous enough to provide us an article:

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/misc/SoMayIIntroducetoYouCarlChildress

[Carl Childress]

Carl,

I would say the BRD is not just an "important" book - it's an essential book.

Glad I got to have a beer with you before that wimp doctor suggested that wasn't good for you (have you checked his license?).

So, what was the final total of games you worked before retiring?

Take care.

John Muller

That beer was good even if I did have to pay for it and lunch. Ft. Worth is a nice town, though.

I called my first game in 1954, but I "retired" from 1961 (matrried and teaching in college) to 1976. My records show I worked 4341 games, about two-thirds behind the plate,.

Oklahoma v Oklahoma State: The San Diego Chicken - as he was called then - gave me his famous eye test. And In 1991, I worked the New York City High School All Star Game in "the old" Yankee Stadium. Actually, I think I entered that game `10 or 12 times in my list, but you know ....

Thanks, John. I appreciate the kind words about the BRD.