We’ve played two months and things are tight at the top of the FMBA standings, with only two games separating the top 6 teams. Still lots of baseball left, but only eight teams get in the dance so there is no time to wait around!

One mentionable is we are really seeing a shortage of umpires the past couple seasons. The guys who have been out are typically working several games a week at all levels. Where am I going with this? Well, much like teams can (and do) make 5+ errors a game, or individuals can strike out 4 times some nights, some of the boys in blue miss a call from time to time. No one is in the MLB, and we’re all adults here, let’s remember to give ’em some respect because it sure ain’t easy.

Moving along, June saw a lot of great individual performances, it was really hard to narrow it down to only 3. But let’s take a look at who was most “studly”

The Twins may have had a tough June, but it wasn’t due to lack of offense. Brett Czarkowski did baseball things in leading the league in hits (17), total bases (31), runs scored (17), 2Bs (6) & 3Bs (4). He opened the month going 2-3 with a 2B & 3B, scoring twice and knocking in a run in a Twins 4-2 victory over the 2nd place Wolfpack. 

He may have celebrated his 40th birthday in June, but Jared Albo of the Longhorns continues to age like a fine Canadian rye. He hit safely in 8 of 9 games including 3 3-hit games in a row. His 3 run HR in a 5-3 victory over the Canadians was the difference and proved to be big win for the Longhorns snaping a 4 game losing streak and starting a 4 game win streak. 

If you looked up the word “clutch” on UrbanDictionary.com , you may very well see Dukes OF Evan Gerwing’s name. He tied for the June lead in HRs (2), both coming in the same game of a 13-12 comeback over the Wolfpack, one of which was a 3 run, game tying shot in the bottom of 7 with 2 out. That game btw is the current difference between the 1st place Dukes and 2nd place Wolfpack. Altogether Gerwing knocked in 13 RBIs on the month in only 5 games played. 

There is a 🚨crisis🚨 brewing in Dukes land. Cal Tecklenburg allowed his first earned runs of the season in late June! All kidding aside, much like in May Cal again lead the league in K’s (21) while walking only 2 hitters in 13 innings. He had a nice 8K, 5 inning CG W in an 11-1 dime over the White Sox. Kid might be alright!

Stephen Barbour of the Longhorns, who by the way sports the best ‘stache in recent FMBA memory, turned in a solid month going 2-1 and leading the league in IP (18). He threw his first FMBA CG against the Guns, allowing only 1 ER in a 10-3 victory. All aboard the mustache ride!

And lastly, Christian Lapointe aka “The Prez” threw 2 CG’s in June going 1-1 while limiting free passes with only 2BB to 19Ks. His most recent start was a 8K CG in a 5-2 victory over the Guns. Not sure what they’re drinking down at the league office but three executive members have been named studs this season. 

Congrats to all the June “Studs”, we’ll catch everyone again at the end of July. 

Despite having an entire week postponed due to rain, the 2024 FMBA season is off to a great start. We’re seeing lots of competitive games, several new faces in the league, and even a few fans attending games! You love to see it. With the good comes the bad: one sour note that continues to creep up is waiver infractions – there have been three this year, one of which affected a game result. Teams – let’s clean this up so we can keep the focus on the field!

A key statistic jumping out early is an increase in home runs not seen since the COVID-shortened 2021 season where there were 0.9HR/game. In 2023 those numbers were down to 0.54HR/game, but in May we saw that number spike back to 0.85HR/game. Maybe performance enhancement testing could be a topic for the 2025 league meetings? 🤔😂

Speaking of performance, the league is introducing something new in 2024: the “Studs” of the Month. Each month we’ll highlight the top 3 hitters and pitchers. To paraphrase the late great St. Louis Cardinal & Cincinnati Red prospect “Macho Man” Randy Savage, these players are “the cream who have risen to the top“. 

Michael Goldade is off to a hot start for the Wolfpack. Through May he leads the FMBA in total runs despite playing in only 3 games! He contributed in seemingly every offensive category, and his metrics (1.848OPS!) are off the charts. His highlight game was going 3-4 with 1 HR, 3R & 3 RBI in a win over the Giants.

It might be his rookie FMBA season but Graham Fader of the Guns is playing like a seasoned vet in leading the FMBA in total bases and RBIs in only 4 games played. He has hit an extra base hit in all four of those games, while stealing a bag in three of them. His signature outing was a game winning walk-off 2RBI 2B in a comeback over the Cardinals.

You could make a case for several White Sox hitters this month, but Mitch Chicoine (the all-time FMBA leader in plate appearances) gets the final nod, having hit safely in all 7 games he’s played while filling out all categories of the stat sheet. This was highlighted by a 2 hit, 3RBI performance in a victory over the Guns.

A second generation FMBA player, Cal Tecklenburg has been phenomenal thus far having yet to allow an earned run in three starts spanning 15 innings. This included an Opening Day CG 13K shutout of the four-time defending champ Diamondbacks. Even more impressive is his 2BB / 27K splits, keeping free passes to a minimum. He has certainly helped the Dukes jump out to a 4-0, 1st place start.

Taylor Kipnes had a May to remember logging 14.2 IP, coming away with 2 CG wins and a save in the span of 7 days while keeping a tidy 1.97ERA for the second place White Sox. His highlight outing was opening the season with a crisp 89 pitch CG shutout of the Cardinals. (And off the field, he just celebrated the birth of his second child! Congrats Taylor!)

Last but certainly not least is longtime Giant Steven Latos who has been in top form early. He ran into some tough luck late in his opening start vs the Wolfpack, but bounced back with a league high 15Ks in a CG W over the Longhorns. His 14K / 7IP splits are what you might call “video game good”.

Congrats to all the May “Studs”, can’t wait to see who makes June’s list.

The FMBA has completed their spring AGM, and the 2024 season schedule will be released shortly.

An important date to note is Saturday April 27th starting at 9:00am, which is when the annual Work Bee to prep Glen Hansen Field for the upcoming season will take place. To any and all FMBA members who can spare even an hour of time that day, your help would be greatly appreciated.

It is shaping up to be another great season of baseball!

Hopefully everyone enjoyed a great offseason! With some team’s winter workouts underway, and our younger players college seasons nearing (or for some already begun), another exciting season of FMBA summer baseball is on the horizon.

Interested in playing baseball this summer? Any new players to our league are encouraged to submit the “Prospective Players” form above. This is submitted to all team managers. Don’t sell yourself short!

As well, an early reminder to ALL returning players: please fill out the “Player Waiver” form so that you can be added to your team’s roster.

Stay tuned for winter updates soon.

We are passing on details for Trevor Freeman AKA Marv’s celebration of life. It is Saturday November 25rd from 3-6pm, for those who are able to attend.

Looking forward to hearing all the great Marv stories that day.

It’s a sad day in our community, as our friend Trevor Freeman has passed at the age of 46 after a long battle with cancer. Trevor, or more affectionately known as “Marv” was a member of our league for over 25 years as a player for the Dust Devils, Twins & Longhorns. But he was more than that to so many others: a friend, a coach, a Travelling Jagr, a son, a husband, and a father. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

Rest in Peace Marv.