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 鈥� While a lot of the home run talk around the 扣扣传媒 (AAPB) has been about the all-time chase between Jos茅 Sermo and Jabari Henry, it鈥檚 Joshua Mears of Lake Country that鈥檚 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 .听
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 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 , while his 88 RBI pace the circuit.
- This week, the AAPB announced that 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 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 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 陆 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 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 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 , raising money for the First Responder Foundation.
- Siouxland 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鈥檚 home run record chase, as on Tuesday.
- KITV after the X鈥檚 loss to Fargo-Moorhead on Tuesday.
- InKansasCity as part of its Discover Kansas City, Kansas item.
- Last week鈥檚 Blaine, Minn., expansion announcement was chronicled by , , and more.
- The Winnipeg Free Press featured Goldeyes ace after a mid-year stop in the Mexican League.
- BroBible tater tot eating contest defeat at Lake Country last week.
- Milwaukee Magazine as one of its featured 鈥淭hings to Do In Milwaukee鈥� this weekend.听
- A few team promotions of note are:
- All kids 12 and under will be admitted free to Friday鈥檚 game between Sioux Falls and Kansas City at the Birdcage on Kids Night, courtesy of the Canaries鈥� local partners. Then, The Birdcage will turn into Harry Potter鈥檚 village 鈥淗ogsmeade鈥� on Saturday for 鈥淲izards and Wands Night.鈥�
- Kane County hosts Tie-Dye Night on Saturday, with specialty jerseys up for sale with proceeds going to The Joshua Tree Community.
- Saturday is 鈥淏attle of the Borders Night鈥� 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鈥檚 game vs. Fargo-Moorhead
About the American Association
The 扣扣传媒 () and () is a Major League Baseball Partner League that operates in nine states and one Canadian province.听 Formed in 2006, the league consists of twelve member clubs with many beginning play in 1993.听 Through the 2025 season, 483 player contracts have been transferred to MLB organizations.听 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