The Brooklyn Knights and St. Rock Mudcats traded spots atop the division multiple times. However, a strong finish put the Knights three games ahead by the end of May. The Nashville Firecats had no problem keeping their division lead. They extended their lead to 11 games over the Luisville Beasts.

The Key West Corals established themselves as the NALB’s best team after the first two months of the season. With a 37-19 record, they hold a solid five game lead over the Stade Maples. The Richmond Slam and Phoenix Rattlers have battled all season long. Richmond currently has a slight edge with a two game advantage over the Phoenix.

A major milestone was reached by Brooklyn’s Hooks Goetz on May 24, 2012 against Nashville. Goetz hit the 400th home run of his career. He became only the fourth player in NALB history to reach that mark.

May 2012 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Hsiao-lou Yeh (Brooklyn Knights)
Pitcher of the Month: Vincent Cadieux (St. Rock Mudcats)
Rookie of the Month: Tim Hill (St. Rock Mudcats)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Larry Arceniaga (St. James Crusaders)
Pitcher of the Month: William Constable (Key West Corals)
Rookie of the Month: Lou Woodman (Key West Corals)

Brooklyn finished the month with a half-game lead over division rival St. Rock. If the Knights could have had weekends off, they would be in fine shape. On Saturdays and Sundays, Brooklyn was a woeful 1-7. During the week, they played 15-5 baseball.

After an injury free spring training, the Brooklyn Knights had to use the disabled list several times in April. Elbow tendonitis bothered Francisco Jimenez on opening day. He was placed on the 60 day DL. In mid-April, Flavio Marquez and Alexis Schmidt both sprained their ankles. Starting pitcher José Arisa suffered some shoulder soreness and Rico Haros strained his rotator cuff. A bright spot for the Knights was Lariel Gómez. Called up from AAA Santa Ana, Gómez played ten games at third base for the Knights. He hit .340 with 4 HR.

Probably the biggest injury of the month was on April 5. Young Japanese pitching phenom Toshinobu Ando was injured while pitching for the Dayton Grizzlies. The 18-year old prospect will require elbow reconstruction surgery. His recovery is projected to take twelve months.

April 2012 awards:

League 1
Batter of the Month: Hooks Goetz (Brooklyn Knights)
Pitcher of the Month: Francisco Rodil (Nashville Firecats)
Rookie of the Month: Lucero Dircio (Dunedin Otters)

League 2
Batter of the Month: Paul Lyons (Washington Allies)
Pitcher of the Month: Mario Torralbo (Key West Corals)
Rookie of the Month: Marcel Langlois (Vancouver Wild)

In League 1, the Brooklyn Knights looked sharp in spring training and posted a 16-8 record to lead Division 1. The St. Rock Mudcats were right behind them at 15-9. In Division 2, the Nashville Firecats played very well and went 15-9. The Dayton Grizzlies made some interesting offseason moves as they continue to rebuild. Unfortunately, they went 6-18 after an injury plagued spring training.

In League 2 Division 1, the Stade Maples and Washington Allies shared the best record of 14-10. The Richmond Slam and Phoenix Rattlers went 13-11 to lead League 2 Division 2.

For the Brooklyn Knights, first baseman Alexis Schmidt was the clear standout. He hit .346 with 13 HR and 37 RBI.

Key injuries in spring training:
Dayton Grizzlies: On March 4, LF Ariel Cadore was injured on a defensive play. He's expected to miss about 6 weeks with an oblique strain.
Dayton Grizzlies: SP Neddie O'Quinn was injured while pitching on March 4. Shoulder inflammation will keep him out 7-8 months.
Dunedin Otters: On March 13, MR Anastasio Urbáez ruptured his ulnar collateral ligament while pitching. His recovery will take at least 12-13 months.
Dunedin Otters: On March 26, LF Ángel Pérez sprained his ankle playing the outfield. He's expected to miss about 5-6 weeks.
Las Vegas Luck: SS Santiago Diaz was injured while throwing on March 20. Bone chips in his elbow will cause him to miss about 6 weeks.
Nashville Firecats: On March 25, MR Casey Gayford ruptured a tendon in his finger while pitching. His recovery will take about 4 months.
St. James Crusaders: On March 24, RF Danny Ellis strained his hamstring on a defensive play. He should miss about 3 weeks.
St. Rock Mudcats: On March 27, MR Rob Muncy experienced elbow tendinitis while pitching. He's expected to miss about 2 months.
Stade Maples: On March 20, 2B Chris Walton suffered a throwing injury. He's expected to miss about 5 weeks due to a biceps strain.
Stade Maples: SS Marcelo Soure was injured in a collision at a base in a game on March 27. He fractured his thumb and will miss about 3-4 weeks.
Vancouver Wild: On March 10, 2B Ace Burd strained an oblique muscle while running the bases. He’s expected to miss about 8 weeks.
Washington Allies: On March 23, 3B Cal Kime was hit by a pitch and fractured a finger. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Washington Allies: On March 25, SP Ashby Hedges was injured while pitching. The Diagnosis: strained forearm. He's expected to miss about 3 months.
Washington Allies: MR Graciano Orozco suffered a serious pitching injury on March 26. He tore an elbow ligament and will be out of action for 10 months.

There were a number of important trades, signings, and other roster moves prior to the start of the 2012 season.

The Brooklyn Knights made several offseason moves:

• Brooklyn retained the services of the following players through arbitration: Francisco Jimenez, Flavio Marquez, Ron Deluna, Michael Duhon, Martin Swader, Carl Gwinn, Zhu-Ian Xian, Carlos Cardenas, Ralph Kerfoot, Bernard Gastelu, José Arisa, Lonnie Bennett, and Rigo Hurtado.
• The Knights placed second baseman Ramon Rodas on irrevocable waivers. He was claimed by the Cornfield Axemen.
• Brooklyn lost starting pitcher Adney Buntain in the Rule 5 Draft to the Richmond Slam.

Notable offseason signings:

• The Rattlers signed one of the most coveted free agents on the market. After eight straight seasons in Brooklyn, Phoenix landed catcher Ted Pollet. He will be hauling in $13,480,000 a year for three years. Pollet is coming off of a fine season with the Knights, in which he hit .344.
• Richmond fans were overjoyed when the Slam signed starting pitcher Hap Bedford. The long-time ace for the Axemen joins Richmond after twelve seasons in Cornfield. Bedford was signed for $44,360,000 over four years.
• Free agent Paul Lyons, one of the league’s marquee talents, opted to sign with the Washington Allies. The 37 year old received a two year, $21.4 million offer from the Allies.
• The Nashville Firecats used free agency to sign right fielder Dan Kelly. The $31,330,000 contract will keep Kelly in Nashville for three years.
• Cornfield came to terms with veteran second baseman Ted Rambo, locking up the 39 year old to a $17.9 million, two year deal.
• 36 year old center fielder Jim Stoneman committed to a $26,840,000, three year deal with the Stade organization.
• Closer Jeffrey Hallman accepted a lucrative three year, $26,100,000 offer from the Richmond Slam.
• The Allies added a veteran to their rotation. They signed William Rambo, a 35 year old battle-hardened lefty. The two year deal is worth $13,940,000.
• Star shortstop Larry Arceniaga was given a $6.86 million, one year contract extension with the Crusaders.
• The Cornfield Axemen extended the contract of their superstar closer, Joe Pendarvis. The extension is for three years and $18,270,000 in pay.
• Luisville announced a deal to keep third baseman Mahlon Torres in a Beasts uniform for another year. Torres will earn $6,090,000 as part of the settlement.
• Moray Williams signed a one year extension with the Las Vegas Luck. The 25 year old third baseman will make $6,000,000.
• Star left fielder Shayne Kimpel decided to stay in Stade for another year. The 27 year old will make $6,000,000 for the season.
• A contract extension between center fielder Oscar Barrientes and the Mudcats was reached. Barrientes will pocket $6 million over the next year.
• Former Brooklyn pitching star Tracey Corkhill landed in Phoenix. The free agent will earn $10,210,000 per year over two years as part of the deal.
• The Grizzlies signed 31 year old outfielder Aleck Stella for $3,780,000 per year for three years.
• Second Baseman Pete Chavez agreed to a one year extension from the Firecats. Nashville offered him $3,620,000 for another season.
• The Slam retained the services of reliever Walt O’connell for another season. Richmond agreed to pay him $3,270,400.
• Rip Sukeforth came to terms with the Key West for a two year, $6,280,000 deal. Sukeforth is expected to bolster an already strong bullpen.
• The Crusaders signed catcher Rube Genins to a two year extension at a rate of $2.21 million per year.
• Relief pitcher Hugh Rossiter opted for a $1,460,000 single year contract with the Nashville Firecats.
• The Grizzlies signed 38 year old outfielder Ariel Cadore to a contract worth $2,860,000 over two years.
• Reliever Ray White signed one year with Stade for $1,960,000. White is expected to be the closer for the Maples.
• Stade extended pitcher Brian Hanson’s contract for another year. The 42 year old reliever will make $1,947,131.
• Chris Nelson and the Maples came to an agreement, keeping the reliever in Stade for another two years. The deal is worth $3,776,804.
• Nashville re-signed Mike Conigliaro for an additional three years of bullpen work. Conigliaro will pocket $3,390,000 for the deal.

• The Dayton Grizzlies got a new closer when they signed 38 year old veteran, Mick Vanzandt. The Grizzlies will pay him $940,000 for one year.

Notable offseason trades:

• Quebeck sent 25 year old right fielder Miguel Gaytán and 21 year old minor league third baseman Chris Bowmer to St. James in exchange for 27 year old first baseman Rogélio Corhera.
• 26 year old second baseman Joshua Ridings was traded by the Corals to the Beasts for 26 year old reliever Gervasio Díaz.