Clayton State Administrator Writes Baseball History Book Morrow, Ga., Nov. 8, 2004 – Clayton State Director of University Relations John Shiffert has been a baseball fan since he was five years old. He’s been a writer since he was 15 years old, or about the same time he became interested in history as a high school student in Philadelphia. Now, a few years later, he’s put all three interests together. PublishAmerica of Frederick, Md., has just published Shiffert’s first book, Baseball: 1862 to 2003. Something new in baseball books, Baseball: 1862 to 2003 combines baseball’s past with baseball’s present… comparing events and players from as far back as 1862 with the events of the 2003 season, and using just enough statistics (with explanations) to illuminate those events and players. “Baseball: 1862 to 2003 brings alive the past in a unique way, by reminding us that there’s nothing new under the sun, at least, not as far as baseball goes,” says Shiffert. Written as the 2003 season progressed by Shiffert, a baseball historian and sportswriter in addition to serving as Clayton State’s director of University Relations since August 1995, Baseball: 1862 to 2003 is a history book, a review of the present game and players, and a simple stats book, all rolled into one. “While this book covers all of the important events of 2003, and ties them to a lot of important events and people in baseball’s past, I also try to keep in mind that baseball is a game, and games are meant to be fun,” says Shiffert. “So, I also covered the Simon sausage slashing, ugly uniforms, Moonlight Graham careers and team nicknames, among other subjects.” Baseball: 1862 to 2003 can be pre-ordered through the PublishAmerica website (www.PublishAmerica.com). At present, copies may also be ordered by calling PublishAmerica at (301) 695-1707. Baseball: 1862 to 2003 will also be available soon through wholesalers Baker & Taylor, Brodart and Ingram, in bookstores, and through on-line stores such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. Shiffert says he has at least two book signings in the works, one at the Clayton State University Bookstore, and one at Scott’s Bookstore in Newnan. The dates for both signings, plus any additional signings, will be announced shortly, depending on the book’s availability. A spring 2005 book signing in Philadelphia is also a possibility. “It’s always baseball season, so I’m hoping fans will come out to these signings to talk about baseball, from 1862 to 2005,” says Shiffert.