NEW CARLISLE- Every Old Republic Wiffle Ball League team must have a Jackie Moon in
order to survive. These leaders are players, captains, managers, and team owners all in one.
Alex Friedman of the Maple City Magic and Eric Johnson of Emery's Army have been
recognized as the top skippers in their respective leagues for 2011.
Friedman swooped in and saved the league from an embarrassing vacated spot left by the
Mill Creek Minutemen. The Minutemen were thrown out of the league after poor management
caused them to forfeit their first six games. Friedman bought the franchise, changed the
name to the Maple City Magic, and was able to complete the rest of the season.
Friedman's leadership was a stark contrast to the inept front office of the Minutemen.
Although they finished in last place in the American League, the Magic did compete. The
team's highlight of the summer came in the City Championship with a surprise run to the Elite
Eight.
Johnson won his second consecutive NL Manager of the Year award. After a dismal start in
2010, Johnson orchestrated one of the most impressive midseason turn-arounds ever seen
in the ORWBL, ending in a trip to the NLCS as the Wild Card.
This season, Johnson's offseason acquisition of Jake Lawrence helped the franchise finally
break through for their first division title. Emery's Army reached #21 in the NWLA polls at the
end of the ORWBL regular season.