NEW YORK -- The USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award will be presented to the United States' top amateur player on Wednesday, marking the first time the honor has been presented live via an awards show to the entire country.

The award will be presented via an exclusive live webcast from BaseballChannel.TV's studios in New York. The Golden Spikes announcement will be at 2 p.m. ET, followed by the Olympic selection show at 2:30.

For the past 30 years, USA Baseball has honored the top amateur baseball player in the country with the Golden Spikes Award. Following the first ever presentation of the award to Bob Horner of Arizona State in 1978, the Golden Spikes Award, sponsored by Major League Baseball, has been presented each year to the player who exhibits exceptional athletic ability and exemplary sportsmanship.

An original group of more than 200 candidates has been trimmed to five very impressive finalists:

Gordon Beckham, shortstop, Georgia
At first glance, Beckham doesn't stand out. But then you watch him play a little and can't help but be impressed. Beckham has quality at-bats and some pretty good pop, which is surprising considering his size. Beckham hit .411 with 28 home runs, 77 RBIs and 97 runs scored as a Georgia junior this year and was selected eighth overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

Aaron Crow, right-handed pitcher, Missouri
After a strong Cape season, Crow was high atop Draft lists heading into the season. He did nothing to hurt his status, showing three-plus pitches to dominate hitters and establish himself as one of the top college arms in the class. Crow was 13-0 with a 2.35 ERA for Missouri, walking 38 and striking out 127 in 107 1/3 innings, and was selected ninth overall by the Washington Nationals.

Brian Matusz, left-handed pitcher, San Diego
The lefty has four pitches he can throw for strikes and isn't afraid to use his entire arsenal. Matusz was 12-2 with a 1.71 ERA for San Diego, walking 22 and striking out 141 in 105 innings, and was selected fourth overall by the Baltimore Orioles.

Buster Posey, catcher, Florida State
College catchers who can stay at the position and can hit are always a hot commodity, and Posey will be no exception. As a converted shortstop, he's still a little raw behind the plate, but all the tools are there for him to be just fine. Posey batted .463 with 26 home runs, 93 RBIs and 89 runs scored as a Florida State junior and was selected fifth overall by the San Francisco Giants.

Brett Wallace, third baseman, Arizona State
Drawing rave reviews for his work in the box, Wallace was one of the best collegiate hitters this year. He batted .410 with 22 home runs, 83 RBIs and 87 runs scored this season for Arizona State, and though he could eventually move to first base as a pro, he could be the kind of Major Leaguer who hits .300 with 25 home runs and a high on-base percentage annually. He was selected 13th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals.

The 2007 Golden Spikes Award winner was David Price of Vanderbilt University.

Based on the nominations from sports information directors across the country, USA Baseball compiled an initial list of more than 200 candidates for the award. USA Baseball officials reviewed the list with a select voting body and unveiled the 2008 Golden Spikes Award Watch List on Feb. 15.

"Last year, we asked the sports information directors to nominate players from their respective school," says Matt Titus, USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award Director. "We think the system worked so efficiently that we want to duplicate it again this year.

"You get a more diverse body of players from all over the country. It helps USA Baseball because it ensures that we have a more complete coverage of the entire country and that these players are well represented for the award."

On May 20, USA Baseball officials cut the watch list of players to 50 names. The final list of 50 was then sent to a voting body consisting of select professional baseball personnel, past USA Baseball National Team coaches, select members of the media, former USA Baseball sports information directors and current USA Baseball staff -- 125 voters in total.

Additionally, for the first time, fan voting was considered as part of the Golden Spikes Award in 2008. Starting on May 20, college baseball fans from across the country were able to vote for their favorite player to win the Golden Spikes Award.

Past winners of the award include current Major League players Tim Lincecum ('06), Alex Gordon ('05), Jered Weaver ('04), Rickie Weeks ('03), Khalil Greene ('02), Jason Jennings ('00), Pat Burrell ('98), J.D. Drew ('97), Mark Kotsay ('95), and Jason Varitek ('94).

Former Major League stars that have captured the award include Robin Ventura ('88), Jim Abbott ('87), Will Clark ('85), Dave Magadan ('83), Terry Francona ('80) and Tim Wallach ('79).