AUGUST comes to a close ...

August has come to a close. We have played 1,226 games, or roughly 75% of the season. The remainder of the season will have the entire roster active. And we have some very good races.
We have three teams still with 600+ winning percentages (OTT, QUI and BAY). MLB has three as well, Chicago-N, Tampa Bay and Los Angeles-A.

The Babe Ruth Aaron continues to be a two-team race. Bloomington (BSK) leads the division by 3G. BSK relies on pitching and speed to get the job done. The SunKings are 10th in hitting (250) and 1st in pitching (3.92). They are the only BR team with a team ERA under 4. Arkansas (ARK) is second with a 62-61 record; the first time this year two BR-A teams are over 500! ARK is the opposite of BSK, all hitting, not much pitching. The Muleriders are 3rd in hitting (281) and 8th in pitching (5.03).

The Babe Ruth Williams is also a two-team race. Fairfax (FFF) has extended its lead to 4G. Fairfax, like BSK, relies on pitching. FFF is 8th in hitting (257) and 2nd in pitching (4.03). Rio Brazos (RBC) is second with a 68-53 record. RBC is above average in both categories; 4th in hitting (279) and 4th in pitching (4.29).

The Babe Ruth Mays is a two-team race as well. Quincy (QUI) leads the division by 4G and are hanging on with clutch hitting and clutch pitching. QUI is just 5th in hitting (275) and 6th in pitching (4.42) but hold the league's best record at 79-45. Bay State (BAY) is in second with 75 wins. BAY is leading the league in hitting (290) and 3rd in pitching (4.08). This will be a race for the ages!

Bay State (BAY) leads Rio Brazos (RBC) by 5.5 games for the Babe Ruth Wild Card.

In the Cy Young Koufax, Ottawa (OTT) has dropped is magic number to just 10 with 39 to play. At 93-30, the Beavers have virtually locked up home field throughout the playoffs. OTT is leading the DBA in hitting (317) and pitching (3.18). The only question is will its team BA exceed its ERA at season's end.

In the Cy Young Gibson, Lebanon (LEB) has extended its lead to 4G. LEB is 9th in hitting (248) and 4th in pitching (4.53). Carbondale (CDC) is in second with 55 wins. CDC is 3rd in hitting (286) and 7th in pitching (4.88). No team in the CY-G is above 500.

In the Cy Young Johnson, Jacksonville (JSC) has the second largest (OTT 31G) division lead in the DBA, 10G. JSC is doing it with a mix, 5th in hitting (277) and 3rd in pitching (4.52). BDD (BDD) is a surprising 500, after posting only the third 20-win month in the DBA, behind QUI's 22 wins in June, and OTT's 20 wins in August. This might be too-little, too-late for the Bombers, as they are just 7th in hitting (255) and 6th in pitching (4.76).

West Huron (WHW) holds a slim 1/2 game lead over BDD for the CY-WC. The Whitecaps are poised to strike; 2nd in hitting (287) and 2nd in pitching (4.34). Only the presence of Ottawa in their division is keeping this team from 90 wins.

Lottery Teams: LAS, EAT, ELR, ALT, ILL, RID

JUNE SIGNS -- OTT (Rogers, Francisco), QUI (Guardado), LAS (LaRue)

JUNE CLAIMS -- OTT (Tejada)

JUNE TRADES -- OTT sells Rodriguez to ILL for 25.2M
BAY sends Douggie M and 2.5M to SJS for Guillen
OTT sells Maddux and Ward to WHW for 5M
ALT sells Counsell to OTT for 1M
LAS trades Ross and 13M to QUI for Izturis and Thames
ILL sells Silva to WHW for 1M