2024 Top Defenders in Baseball and Softball Rewarded for Best Fielding Percentages
Rochester, Minn. – The Northwoods League has announced the recipients of the 2024 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award for both baseball and softball. The annual award recognizes the top fielders at each position and the winners are selected based on final fielding statistics compiled by the Northwoods League.
The 2024 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award recipients and their fielding percentages are below.
| Position | Player | NWL Team | Fielding Percentage |
| C | Cashel Dugger
Hilary Blomberg |
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
Madison Night Mares |
.996
.983 |
| 1B | Carter Hain
Paige Zender |
Traverse City Pit Spitters
Mankato Habaneros |
.994
.979 |
| 2B | Ryan McKay
Carly Oliver |
Royal Oak Leprechauns
Madison Night Mares |
.986
.967 |
| 3B | Michael Flaherty
Kayla Thomas |
Kokomo Jackrabbits
Madison Night Mares |
.967
.972 |
| SS | Jake Berkland
Tia Durst |
Wausau Woodchucks
Madison Night Mares |
.976
,984 |
| OF | Matthew Miura
Ashlee Chantos |
La Crosse Loggers
La Crosse Steam |
1.000
1.000 |
| OF | Max Galvin
Trinity Gregg |
Wausau Woodchucks
Minot Honeybees |
.993
.980 |
| OF | Lucas Moore
Rylee Rogers |
Waterloo Bucks
Madison Night Mares |
.993
.977 |
| P | Ethan Cole
Jessa Snippes |
Duluth Huskies
Mankato Habaneros |
1.000
1.000 |
Rawlings has been rewarding the top defenders in Northwoods League Baseball since 2002 and this is the first season that they are also giving awards to the top defenders in Northwoods League Softball. The recipients receive a special Rawlings engraved trophy. Rawlings is the official equipment provider for the Northwoods League.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 370 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network.
Leveraging the 31-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League beginning play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024. The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.