[BirdWatcher]

For the remainder of the season we will dispense with the weekly player spotlight reports (though players will be featured of course in other ways) in order to share a weekly update regarding various single season individual statistical records which could likely be broken this year.

Let's get right to it:

Individual single season records almost sure to be broken in 1977:

1) Single season HR record, batter: The WPK record for most home runs hit by a WPK player in a single season is currently 50, a record shared by two aptly named sluggers: Jamison Bash, who did this in 1966, and Eric Brakeall, who accomplished it in 1969. Devin Schwisow, of the Phoenix Speed Devils, currently has hit 47 homers and is on pace for a 59 home run season. He is sure to break the record, barring some disastrous collapse or injury.

2) Single season K record, pitcher: The WPK single season strikeout record for a pitcher is 261, set by the great Jaime Schardein in 1968. This year Brooklyn starting pitcher Joel Travino is currently sitting at 238 K's, on a pace to finish just under 300 for the season. Again, almost surely this record will fall in 1977.

3) Single season doubles record, batter: The WPK single season record for doubles hit is 54 and this was set just last season by Seattle first baseman Fred Reinhardt. Reinhardt himself is on pace for a 51 double season in 1977 but Pittsburgh's Bill Winchester is on pace to shatter Reinhardt's record as he has hit 49 and is on pace for 61.

4) Single season record for home runs allowed, pitcher: This one isn't one anyone wants to set. But this one is basically a done deal at this point, with Phoenix starter Marty O'Brien having already matched the previous record of 40 homers allowed set by Willie Morales in 1966. O'Brien is on pace to give up an ungodly 50 bombs this season.

Individual single season records that might be broken in 1977:

1) Single season record for Slugging Percentage, batter: Jesus Casiano, in his MVP season of 1970, set many individual batting records that still stand. Among them is the highest single season Slugging Percentage of .655. Devin Schwisow currently holds a SLG% of .659 so this one might fall.

2) Single season record for hits, batter: The current single season record in this category is 238, set by the great Travis Johnson in 1966. This year Lazaro Lowndes has collected 196 hits going into September and is on pace for a record setting 244. Good chance we get a new high mark here.

3) Single season record for runs scored, batter: In 1970 Josh Jenkins scored 138 times and that is the current WPK record. This season the veteran slugger Nate Bennett has already scored 111 runs and is on pace for 139, which would just narrowly give him the record. Stay tuned.

4) Single season record for saves, pitcher: Up to this point in WPK history saves totals have been fairly consistent and pretty moderate, with the highest yet being set just last season by Ben Bakeman, when he saved 37 games in 43 opportunities. At the moment former Brewer Jordan Stephens, now the closer for the Jacksonville Wolf Pack, is sitting at 30 saves and on pace to set the new record with just one more save then the previous record. He has blown 6 saves thus far.

5) Single season record for bases on balls issued, pitcher: Another dubious distinction, like home runs allowed. The WPK record was set in 1975 by Omar Melero, with 154 free passes issued. This season Portland starter Brad Evans is on pace to finish just south of that at 153.

Individual single season records with an outside chance of being broken:

1) Single season record for total bases, batter: Current record: 417, set by Jesus Casiano in 1970. Best chance to break: Chris Tobin, who is on pace for 404.

2) Single season record for triples hit, batter: The great future HOF'er Felix Lopez hit a tremendous total of 30 triples during the inaugural WPK season of 1965 and that record has been unchallenged since. But this year L.A.'s talented young shortstop Pat Mercado is on pace to hit 26, so this record could still be in jeopardy.

3) Single season record for RBI, batter: The record holder is, like so many offensive categories, Jesus Casiano from his amazing 1970 season, when he drove in 152 runs. Veteran Nate Bennett is on pace for 149 this season, so with another month like the one he had in August this record could be broken.

4) Single season record for stolen bases, batter/runner: The WPK record for stolen bases in a season was set just last year when Brooklyn speedster Jeremy Brigatti swiped 72 bags. Brigatti is now out for the rest of the 1977 season so he won't be challenging his own record, but his teammate Tommie Signor might. Signor is on pace for 70 at this stage of things.

5) Single season record for wins, pitcher: Aaron McNally's single season record of 25 wins, set in 1974, is probably safe. But Jacksonville great Juan Maldonado is on pace for 23 this year so a great final month could leave this record vulnerable, at least to be tied.

6) Single season record for shutouts, pitcher: And finally, among records that could possibly be broken this year, Cheol-han Lee's record 9 shutout total from 1968 could be challenged by Columbus starter Luis Ramirez, who is on pace for 8 this season.

As the month progresses we will look in on these single season records at least once per week, with primary emphasis on the single season HR and K records.