With only one month left in the league, it's really becoming do or die time. Week #12 was witness to some pretty stellar performances from unlikely sources, leading to five of the eight teams shifting positions within the league standings – three teams ascending with two descending. The Finals are quickly approaching and it's still almost anyone's to win. When Murder, He Wrote faced off against Snakes on a Lane in the position round, Bill Krejci put on a clinic. And, with his 268 in Game #1 (and a team leading 622 series), it looked like it was about to be a repeat performance before the Snakes woke up in an attempt to salvage their season. With Ken M. Wilson leading the way with a below-average 613 series, the Snakes bounced back with a rout in Game #2 – the third highest team game in league history – only to fall victim to Murder in Game #3. Total pins went to the Snakes to split the series 2-2. Despite the wins, neither team moved from their respective spots – Snakes on a Lane in 4th and Murder, He Wrote in 5th place.The guys on Ballz Out simply can't catch a break this season. Facing opponents Will Strike if Provoked, the night began with Will Strike winning a battle of attrition in Game #1 as both teams shot below their averages. Game #2 came down to a 10th frame showdown against anchors the Ballz' Cliff Barendsen and Will Strike's Aubrey Moren with the game going to Cliff and crew by a single spare. Both men would go on to lead their teams for the evening, Cliff with a 547 to Aubrey's 538. Game #3 was intense, featuring a back and forth through the 9th frame, after which Will Strike broke away and took it with a powerful performance in the final two frames to take the matchup 3-1. The wins, coupled with total pins, pushes Will Strike if Provoked up into 1st place with a record of 30-18. Ballz Out remains in 8th place.For the last month, Dragon Balls has sat atop the league standings. Heading into a matchup against opponents Split It and Hit It, the guys figured they would have an easy go at it...until Split It's Dennis Blake ruined their party. Throwing his career best series – a 644 – Blake not only earned #1 Power Ranked bowler honors but also turned the tide to take a 3-1 matchup victory Tuesday night, casting the Dragons from atop the league standings. The Balls' anchor Ryan Doll put up the best game of his career, a 278 in Game #2 (the 6th highest in league history), to keep Split It from running away with a clean sweep. Doll finished the night with a team leading 600 series on the dot but it wasn't enough to stop Dennis Blake and Split It and Hit it. The Dragon Balls fall two spots into 3rd while Split It and Hit It climb back up a spot into 6th place.If there was ever a true display of the ladies of the league doing their thing, it was down on Lanes 47 & 48 with Three Strikes and You're Out! taking on Brunk Enough to Dowl. After a Game #1 loss to Brunk Enough's ever-improving Kody Karnes – who was more than half way to a perfect game before derailing for a 252 and ending with a night-leading 670 series – the Brunker-less Three Strikes threw a lot more than three strikes to run the table from that point onward. Leading the charge was this week's Most Valuable Bowler Anita Osthoff who, with her 538 series and 207 in Game #3, propelled her team to a 3-1 victory and up a spot into 2nd place due to total pins...but tied with the best record in the league (30-18). Brunk Enough, now at 20-28 on the season, falls one spot down into 7th place.Bowlers pushing us to within seven games of breaking the all-time record for a season with the most 200+ games this week – and therefore earning admittance into The 200 Club – include: Anita Osthoff (207), Bill Krejci (268), Carl Goetz (256), Cliff Barendsen (210), Dennis Blake (204, 230, 210), Dennis Laube (220), Ian Goetz (201), Ken M. Wilson (236), Kody Karnes (252, 237), and Ryan Doll (278).Placements within the Tournament of Champions took a hint from the league standings shuffling and did a little switcheroo itself. Carl Goetz (19) took over the top spot from Ken M. Wilson (17) in Division #1. Dennis Blake (22) extended his lead over Dennis Laube (14) in Division #2. Division #3 has a new bowler behind Phil Schroeder (17) with Eric Lynch (16) challenging him for the top seed. Division #4 saw Michael Smith (21) outpacing teammate Mark DeVoe (18) to ascend to the top seed spot. If you haven't already, please take a moment and vote for your favorite Hall of Fame nominee(s). Voting will wrap up in a few more weeks and the results announced at the Fun Week. See you next Tuesday!

THIS WEEK'S MVB Anita Osthoff Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Dennis Blake Runner Up: Kody Karnes	#1 H2H BOWLER Dennis Blake Runner Up: Scott Murdock
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "Dammit! I hope that no one with an actual chance to win in their own sport was distracted tonight watching our inevitable loss." KC Royals' Chris Getz, with his wish not coming true.