(ROCHESTER, MN) The Northwoods League has announced the recipients of the 2011 Rawlings “Finest in the Field” Award. The annual award recognizes the top fielders at each position. The winners are selected based on final fielding statistics compiled by league statistician Pointstreak, a Vancouver, British Columbia based sports statistical service company. The 2011 Rawlings Finest in the Field Award recipients and their field percentages are below.

The Eau Claire Express and Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers both had multiple players named as award winners. Express first baseman Josh Scheffert committed just one error in 419 total chances. Two-thirds of the Express outfield, DeMarcus Tidwell and Nick Addison, combined to commit just two errors in 209 total chances. In addition, Addison led the Northwoods League with nine outfield assists. NWL Most Valuable Player Shaun Cooper of the Mankato MoonDogs, who hit 20 home runs during the season, also was a top-3 defensive outfielder. Lunkers catcher Wade Wass made just two errors behind the plate while pitcher Charlie Henderson didn’t commit and error in 29 chances off the mound.

Rawlings has been rewarding the top defenders in the Northwoods League since 2002. The recipients receive a special Rawlings baseball glove mounted on an engraved trophy base. Rawlings is the official equipment provider for the Northwoods League.

To qualify for an award a player needs to appear in at least two-thirds of the scheduled games at a specific position, with the exception of catcher which is half.  For pitchers, the player that had the highest total defensive chances without committing an error earns the number one spot.

The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.