Triple Crown Also in Reach for Lake Country Slugger; Milwaukee Nears Playoff Clincher with 18 Games to Play in Regular Season
MOORHEAD, Minn., August 20, 2026 – While a lot of the home run talk around the American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) has been about the all-time chase between José Sermo and Jabari Henry, it’s Joshua Mears of Lake Country that’s making single-season home run news with his 31 taters. With the Miles Wolff Cup playoffs looming less than three weeks away, all AAPB regular season and playoff broadcasts are available free for live viewing on AABaseball.tv.
Here are 10 (or so) Things to Know about the AAPB this week:
- Mears enters the weekend just two shy of the AAPB single-season record of 33, held by Adam Walker (Milwaukee, 2021). The power surge continued Sunday against the Chicago Dogs, when Mears launched two home runs to put himself within striking distance of the historic mark. Walker, incidentally, has hit 63 home runs in four-plus years in Japan and China from 2022-present, after blasting 77 in three years with the Milkmen and 143 in seven MLB affiliated minor league seasons.
- The traditional Triple Crown is also in play for Mears, whose .354 batting average trails only teammate Dom Johnson’s .364, while his 88 RBI pace the circuit.
- This week, the AAPB announced that Sports Illustrated’s 24/7 streaming television channel, SI TV, has been added as a broadcast partner for the remainder of the 2026 season, adding to the record footprint. American Association games will now be available in over 36 million homes, a 72% increase from just last season.
- Winnipeg will host a special celebration recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion during its home game against the Kansas City Monarchs on Monday. The evening will bring together baseball fans, Legion members, veterans, military personnel and members of the community for a meaningful tribute to an organization that has supported those who have served Canada for a century.
- Kane County takes on the Swedish Meatballs alternate identity for the final time this season tonight vs. Milwaukee.
- Milwaukee (48-34) and Kansas City (47-35) lead the East and West divisions, respectively, with just 2 ½ weeks left in the regular season. The Milkmen are 14 games up on fifth-place Gary SouthShore, and can be the first to clinch a spot this week. Lake Country (47-35) could also potentially secure a slot this week.
- Gary SouthShore scored in all but the fifth inning in a 25-2 win over Chicago on Wednesday, one run shy of the 18-year-old league record for runs in a game. Former big leaguers Aaron Altherr and Zach Plesac faced off, but it was the pitcher Plesac getting the seventh-inning hit off outfielder Altherr that made it memorable.
- AAPB teams use their venues for not just great baseball, but also community engagement events:
- Lake Country will celebrate National Night Out in Ocomowoc, Wis., at DockHounds Ballpark. The free event features family activities, emergency vehicle displays, and the highly anticipated Police vs. Fire kickball game.
- The Lincoln Police Department and Lincoln Fire Department squared off Saturday in the fourth annual softball game at Haymarket Park, raising money for the First Responder Foundation.
- Siouxland came together for “All Abilities Night” at the Ballpark.
- Media interest in the AAPB remains strong. Some of the recent articles on teams include:
- The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has taken notice of Josh Mears’s home run record chase, as lead baseball writer JR Radcliffe chronicled on Tuesday.
- KITV considered Sioux City’s still hopeful playoff chances after the X’s loss to Fargo-Moorhead on Tuesday.
- InKansasCity suggests fans take in a Monarchs game as part of its Discover Kansas City, Kansas item.
- Last week’s Blaine, Minn., expansion announcement was chronicled by The Minnesota Star-Tribune, KSTP-TV, MPR News and more.
- The Winnipeg Free Press featured Goldeyes ace pitcher Landen Bourassa, who is back with the team for the playoff run after a mid-year stop in the Mexican League.
- BroBible had some fun with competitive eater Joey Chestnut’s “two on one” tater tot eating contest defeat at Lake Country last week.
- Milwaukee Magazine picks the Milkmen vs. Railroaders series as one of its featured “Things to Do In Milwaukee” this weekend.
- A few team promotions of note are:
- All kids 12 and under will be admitted free to Friday’s game between Sioux Falls and Kansas City at the Birdcage on Kids Night, courtesy of the Canaries’ local partners. Then, The Birdcage will turn into Harry Potter’s village “Hogsmeade” on Saturday for “Wizards and Wands Night.”
- Kane County hosts Tie-Dye Night on Saturday, with specialty jerseys up for sale with proceeds going to The Joshua Tree Community.
- Saturday is “Battle of the Borders Night” in Sioux City when the first 500 fans at Lewis and Clark Park receive a Spit Iowa/Nebraska Explorers jersey sponsored by Scheels Sports.
- Lincoln has been celebrating its 25th season all season long, and host families get their due on Friday with an official team recognition at that night’s game vs. Fargo-Moorhead
About the American Association
The American Association of Professional Baseball (www.aabaseball.com) and (www.aabaseball.tv) is a Major League Baseball Partner League that operates in nine states and one Canadian province. Formed in 2006, the league consists of twelve member clubs with many beginning play in 1993. Through the 2025 season, 483 player contracts have been transferred to MLB organizations. In addition, 60 AAPB alumni have reached the Majors, including 17 participating in 2025.
– AAPB –
Contact:
Joe Favorito, joefavorito2@gmail.com, 917-566-8345
Jerry Milani, jerry@jerrymilani.com, 917-797-5663