Friedman, Keck named top skippers in 2013

NEW CARLISLE- Throughout this week, the 2013 season awards will be announced on

ORWBL.com. All awards were voted on by the managers of the league. The first honors to be handed out are for Manager of the Year. Not surprisingly, the two managers of the ORWBL World Series were named for their respective leagues: Maple City's Alex Friedman for American League Manager of the Year and New Carlisle's Koby Keck for National League Manager of the Year. Neither skipper is a stranger to the award. Friedman won the AL Manager of the Year in 2011. While in the National League, Keck takes home his third Manager of the Year, previously winning in 2007 and 2008. Both made significant moves in the offseason to bolster their rosters for 2013. Maple City signed Wes Ellis and Brian Lockhart from the defunct G-Slugs. New Carlisle raided the American League, picking up Matt and Mike Serge, Chayse Davis, and Adam Rehlander. Friedman led his ballclub to a franchise-high 34 wins and its first division crown. Their season was highlighted by a 24-game winning streak, which began after the All-Star break and lasted until the World Series. For Keck and the Newts, the regular season was less spectacular. However, finishing above .500 was a dramatic improvement from the club's 8-34 mark in 2012. New Carlisle found their groove in postseason, sweeping through the NL on their way to the World Series. The Newts defeated the Magic in the ORWBL World Series, 4-2. Keep checking back to ORWBL.com for more 2013 season awards. On Monday, Rookie of the Year honors will be announced for both the American and National Leagues.