I can’t believe it but we’re already near the end of the regular season. Been a battle in the standings to say the least as the 8th place team is only 3 games behind first. Anyone could win any given night, I think it’s the tightest race we have seen in the standings, possibly ever. Seven of eight teams have qualified for playoffs already with the last spot mathematically still not clinched. There are a handful of makeup games left, but we’re basically playing for playoff positioning now. Can’t wait to see what happens.

In July we also saw the Trevor Freeman Home Run Derby take place this past Saturday and it was amazing. Big shoutout to the Wolfpack for hosting that event. It saw 24 entrants, a ton of bombs, maybe a drink or two, and lots of laughs and memories. Trevor would have been glad to see it. Congrats to Andrew Malone of the Diamondbacks on taking home the title.

July was also our last full month of regular season games and thus will be our final “Studs of the Month” for the year. However stay tuned as we will be doing end of season awards towards the end of playoffs.

Been a lot of fun this year guys.

The Diamondbacks had a lot of games and thus at bats in July, but players still need to step up and do something when called upon. Shea Koller exemplified this in leading July in hits with 18, hitting .560. He even missed a few games after getting called up to play with the Edmonton Prospects of the WCBL. His 9 stolen bases in the month are more than several FMBA vets have in their lives. 

The Dinos have been scoring runs in bunches this season, leading the league in that category. Shortstop Aiden Szautner has been a big reason why, hitting atop their lineup. He hit safely in every game in July including three 3 hit games! And he also had been playing in the WCBL for the Prospects at the end of the season!

It’s always tough narrowing this down to just 3 guys and sometimes players have great months but miss out. Brett Brittany of the White Sox was this guy in May, but as it turns out he had an even better July. He hit two huge bombs, had a 4-4 game in a route of the Wolfpack, and didn’t have less than 2 hits in a game.  

Steven Latos of the Giants has been feeling it this season. In July, he did not technically allow a run through 12.2IP, going 2-1. How did he get a loss? The extra inning ghost runner rule in extras vs the Canadians. In July he tied for the league lead in strikeouts with 23. And no, he does get extra consideration for being on the league executive 😂.

Jordan Smith of the Canadians has been solid all season. He is a pitcher who can also rake, hitting a pinch hit grand slam earlier this year at the dish! On the mound he is 5-0 including going 2-0 in July. This included a big CG win over the Giants, and a solid 6IP W vs the Dinos

And lastly, we should just name this award after him. Cal Tecklenburg has been a “Stud” each month, and yet it is impossible to not have him on here. He K’d 10 Diamondbacks in a walk-off win, and 11 Twins in a 5 inning CG shutout.

Congrats to all the July “Studs”. Looking forward to the playoffs and seeing the post-season awards!