The American Baseball Coaches Association released the 2016 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. I Gold Glove Team on Sunday in Omaha, Nebraska.
The first ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams were recognized in 2007, making this the 10th year the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards have been presented in the collegiate and high school ranks.
The University of Kentucky led the Gold Glove Team with two selections – first baseman Evan White and pitcher Dustin Beggs. ABCA/Rawlings Gold Bat Award winner (National Player of the Year) Kyle Lewis of Mercer was also named to the Gold Glove Team.
The ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team is selected by the ABCA All-America committee, which is chaired by Dean Ehehalt of Monmouth University. The committee also includes head coaches Mike Stone (Massachusetts), Brian O’Connor (Virginia), Tim Corbin (Vanderbilt), Steve Jaksa (Central Michigan), Dan Heefner (Dallas Baptist), Tommy Raffo (Arkansas State) and George Horton (Oregon).
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 8,200 members represent all 50 states and 23 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth. The 73rd annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 5-8, 2017 in Anaheim, California.
About Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels. Rawlings’ unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.
2016-ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team
NCAA Div. I Gold Glove Team
Pos. Player Cl. School State
C Will Smith Jr. Louisville KY
1B Evan White Jr. Kentucky KY
2B Tony Butler Jr. Indiana IN
3B Jake Burger So. Missouri State MO
SS Garrett Hampson Jr. Long Beach State CA
OF Cole Billingsley Jr. South Alabama AL
OF Austin Grebeck Jr. Oregon OR
OF Kyle Lewis Jr. Mercer GA
P Dustin Beggs Sr. Kentucky KY
