By Mark H. Stowers
Royal Oak, MI, November 25, 2024 – The Northwoods League has announced the recipients of the 2024 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award for 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. Ryan McKay (Michigan State University sophomore) second baseman played in 43 games, 374 innings, Total Chances 210, Put Outs 85, Assists 122, Errors 3, Double Plays 23, Fielding Percentage. 986 and Range Factor 4.981
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.
