For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Each season Rawlings, in partnership with the Northwoods League, awards the top defender in their respective position as the “Finest in the Field.” This year, the Rafters took three of the nine spots.

 In 41 games and 317.3 innings, Jake Dunham had a .997 fielding percentage. Dunham had 280 putouts, 22 assists, and only committed one error the whole season.

Peter Matt and Richie Schiekofer both had a perfect season defensively in the outfield with a fielding percentage of 1.000. Matt saw the field in 51 games and played in 392.4 innings. He had 86 putouts and four assists. Schiekofer played in 62 games and 497.2 innings, which was the most by any other Rafter player. He totaled 102 putouts and had one assist.

 Rawlings has been giving out the award since 2002. Players need to appear in at least two-thirds of the scheduled games in their respective positions in order to qualify, however; catchers only need to play in half.

Dunham, Matt, and Schiekofer will each receive a special Rawlings engraved trophy.