[Hendu Style]

Proving just how important Sam Crowley was to his team, the Northgate Knights led the Pioneer League by 2.5 games at the All-Star break. But when Crowley went down with a neck injury, and then a torn meniscus, the Knights sputtered to a 88-74 finish, 17.0 games out of first place. Despite playing in just 83 games, Crowley still hit a career-best .362 with 23 homeruns and 68 RBI. He had been on track for a career year.

Ben Altamonte, meanwhile, nearly pitched the SimNation Baseball League's first-ever perfect game. Save for two fielding errors, the Dixie Dukes ace was flawless against the Bayouville Barons, facing the minimum 27 hitters while not surrendering a single basehit or base on balls. But perfection would still have to wait for the SBL after its first 67 years.