Try this:

select left(B.B_num,3) as JD,
       sum(B.B_COUNT) as Doc_Cnt,
       P.PROJECTED_VOL as Proj_Vol,
       P.DD_RECD as DD_Recd,
       P.JD_CURRENT as JD_Current,
       P.JD_FUTURE as JD_Future
from   batches as B left join projectedvolume as P
on     (P.REPORT_IMPORT_DT = B.REPORT_IMPORT_DT)
where  B.REPORT_IMPORT_DT = '2005-10-12'
group by left(b_num,3)
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I don't know if this will work, but I'm pretty sure you have to have "as" to tell it you want to refer to the batches table as B and the projectedvolumn as P. The On clause generally should be enclosed in () although I'm not sure that is a requirement.