~ From Rapids Rafters ~
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – Since 2002, Rawlings has rewarded the top defenders in the Northwoods League each season. These nine players are recognized as the best defensive players throughout the entire Northwoods League. To qualify for the ‘Finest in the Field’ Award, a field player needs to appear in at least half of the scheduled games in a specific position. As for pitchers, the player that has the highest total defensive chances without committing an error earns the award.
This season Andy Garriola (Old Dominion) and Nathan Hemmerling (Lakeland) were crowned as the ‘Finest in the Field’. Both Rafters maintained a fielding percentage of 1.000. Garriola played in 40 of the 46 games on the season, making a majority of his appearances in the outfield. Throughout the 314 innings that he played, Garriola had a successful 103 total chances with 98 putouts. He also tallied 5 assists and 7 double plays with a range factor of 2.952.
Hemmerling was the lone pitcher in the Northwoods League to win the award. He started in 8 games, throwing 21 innings of work. Hemmerling had 10 total chances and one putout. He topped his defense off with 9 assists and one double play. Hemmerling also had a range factor 4.286.
The 2020 Rawlings ‘Finest in the Field’ Award recipients and their respective fielding percentages are below:
| Position | Player | NWL Team | College | Fielding Percentage |
| C | Patrick Arndt | Kalamazoo Mac Daddies | Bellarmine | .990 |
| 1B | Kyle Manzardo | Willmar Stingers | Washington State | .995 |
| 2B | Andrew Meggs | La Crosse Loggers | Creighton | .991 |
| 3B | J.T. Thompson | La Crosse Loggers | Texas State | .988 |
| SS | Connor McGuire | Kalamazoo Mac Daddies | California, Irvine | .972 |
| OF | Kyle Ashworth | Kalamazoo Mac Daddies | Cal Poly | 1.000 |
| OF | Xane Washington | Waterloo Bucks | Nicholls State | 1.000 |
| OF | Andy Garriola | Wisconsin Rapids Rafters | Old Dominion | 1.000 |
| P | Nathan Hemmerling | Wisconsin Rapids Rafters | Lakeland University | 1.000 |
Rafters ticket packages are on sale now! We have packages of four, nine, eighteen, or all thirty-six games with all-you-can-eat ballpark food. Buy now, enjoy later! For questions, call 715-424-5400 or stop by the Rafthouse at 521 Lincoln Street, Monday-Thursday from 9am-4pm.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
