Arf Adams had been awarded the 2003 picks championship posthumously.

Arf, who died in April, finished one game behind Lisette Champion. His attorney, Doug Anderson, filed a protest with the National Picks Panel Administration, which ruled in Arf's favor. In the protest, Anderson argued that Arf was discriminated against because he was required to pick teams with dog mascots.

"Discrimination is unacceptable regardless of species," said Dale Wolfe, a senior administrator with the NPPA. "This should have never happened. We only wish that Arf were here to hear the good news."

Picks panel administrator John Adams said he had no problems with the NPPA's decision.

"The decision was just," Adams said. "We made a mistake in requiring Arf to pick dog teams, and the NPPA has corrected the mistake. That's why we have an appeal process. This proves the system works."

Champion, who does not grant interviews, released a statement on her new Web site, I'mstillNo.1.com.

"I really don't care what the NPPA ruled and neither do my fans," the statement read. "I won the championship fair and square, and I have the name to prove it.

"I'm Lisette Champion, not Lisette Runnerup."

Stop Your Engines: The picks panel isn't taking a NASCAR turn after all. Picks panel administrator John Adams has decided against implementing NASCAR's championship format.

Adams announced two months ago that after the first 10 weeks of the season the top 12 pickers would enter a "picks pool" to compete for the championship. The 12 pickers -would have been staggered a half-point apart, assuring the panel of a dramatic finish to the picks championship.

"That's not necessary now," Adams said. "Our championship race couldn't be much closer."

Have Mercy: Anderson, who is a first-year picker, knows when to throw himself on the mercy of the court.

Anderson confessed to being late with his picks and accepted a three-point penalty. If he hadn't admitted his tardiness, he would have been penalized 12 points — a point for every hour he was late.

Veteran picker Mike Griffith, who isn't an attorney, decided to take his chances. He didn't admit being late and was assessed five penalty points for being five hours late.

Looking Ahead: The picks panel is already making plans for the 2005 season. If you're interested in being on the panel, e-mail picks panel administrator John Adams at adamsj@knews.com. Include personal information, such as whether you have ever been arrested, what you do for a living, and why you want to be on the panel.

Four applicants will be selected to attend the Picks Panel Testing Center next summer. Whoever scores the highest will be added to next year's panel.

Sold Out: The National Picks Panel convention is a sellout, according to local picks panel administrator John Adams. The convention is scheduled for Nov. 18 at Knoxville Convention Center.

"I'm pleased but not surprised," Adams said in an exclusive interview with picks panel beat writer John Adams. "Whoever thought the $500-a-plate dinner was too expensive didn't realize what a great picks-panel town this is."

Four pickers, including former Knoxville picker Nick Paranjape, will be inducted into the NPPA Hall of Fame.

Upsetting News: Beginning next week, pickers will be required to pick at least four underdogs. Pickers also will receive a three-point bonus if they correctly pick a team which is more than a seven-point underdog.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.