If Cliff Lee isn’t announced as the Cy Young Award winner for the American League today, it will almost be a travesty.

Consider that the National League winner, Tim Lincecum, was 18-5 for the season with an earned run average of 2. 62. He did lead all major league pitchers with 265 strikeouts.

Lee, the Benton native, had the best record in the majors at 22-3 with the Cleveland Indians. He started the All-Star Game, had an ERA of 2. 54 and was the Comeback Player of the Year.

His biggest challenge probably comes from Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay, but he was 20-11 with an ERA of 2. 78.

Whether he wins or not, Lee and others will be headlining this Saturday’s big fundraiser for The Miracle League, an incredible baseball league for boys and girls who are physically challenged.

Parents bring their children from all over the state so they can play baseball at the only field in the state equipped for their special needs.

This is the vision of Peggy McCall and she is on the point for the fundraiser this weekend that starts with probably the most prestigious baseball camp in the South for boys and girls aged 8-18.

The camp, from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m., is at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, and the instructors include professional baseball players Lee, A. J. Burnett, Dustin Moseley, Jason Davis, Mat Miller, Andrew Miller and more.

If this camp were in a bigger city, it would probably cost about six times as much as what McCall is charging, just $ 50 per player.

That night, back at Dickey-Stephens, the pro players return to mix and mingle and have dinner, listen to the band Tragikly White and take part in a silent auction.

That is just $ 65 per person and festivities kick off at 7 p. m.

For more information on either of these events call (501 ) 940-3405 or go to the Web site www. miracleleaguear. com.

All of the above-mentioned players and more will be there.

That includes two of the most talked about pitchers in baseball right now: Lee, who should win the Cy Young, and Burnett, the North Little Rock native who recently declared for free agency.

The University of Central Arkansas and its football team have been told the Bears cannot claim the Southland Conference championship even though they are the best team, with the best record, in that league.

They will not be eligible for the playoffs until 2010, but the NCAA cannot stop them from playing in their own bowl, the Red Beans and Rice Bowl.

On Nov. 22, UCA will host McNeese State in that game to raise funds and food for the Rice Depot, which distributes about seven million pounds of food each year.

Everyone is aware of those who need food this time of year when Thanksgiving and Christmas comes, but the Rice Depot works year-round to feed the hungry.

Anyone interested in being a sponsor can contact Gary Reifeiss at (501 ) 944-5025. Sponsorship includes tickets to the game and an assortment of other treats.

Canned and nonperishable foods will be collected at the entrances, as well as donations.

UCA has had a great football season and for now this will be a fitting end to a successful season.

This might be the appropriate time to recall an interview Shawn Arnell conducted with Brian Brohm on Sports Animals last week.

Brohm, who started at quarterback three seasons for Bobby Petrino at Louisville, said Petrino’s system is very complicated and takes at least a spring and one full season to grasp everything.

Brohm played at least one series in every game as a freshman and passed for 819 yards and six touchdowns (two interceptions )

As a starter, in order of sophomore to senior, he passed for 2, 883 yards and 19 touchdowns (five interceptions ), 3, 049 yards and 16 touchdowns (five ) and 4, 024 yards and 30 touchdowns (12 ).

Each season he had more attempts, more completions and more yards.

Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick had only one spring to learn everything, but the other quarterbacks on campus have had this entire season.