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.