Game Day- Catalyst Online Kickball
It was a typical Wednesday late afternoon, more work to do than I could possibly get done that evening, and I should have already left for to join the kickball team. It crossed my mind that I should stay and keep working, but I committed to the team I would be there and like a typical Catalyst Team member we do not back out on our commitments to our clients or teammates.
I packed up my work and was on my way to join the team that I was sure was anxiously awaiting my arrival, not because of my expertise on the field but I had the roster of players and score sheet.
Upon my arrival, there was an eerie absence of any Catalyst team members. There was a slight chill in the air and I thought maybe they were huddled up somewhere thinking through strategy for that night. I waited a little more time and still no team members and this odd loneliness feel over me. I had let the team down and perhaps I was too late and they could not play, but knowing the Catalyst Team, I knew something like this would not stop someone from Catalyst, when out of the misty cold air I noticed a group of people walking towards me with a stride and confidence to their walk that could only be Catalyst. I was right, they were all together, drinking, I mean thinking. They were throwing back a few ideas on how we would win that night. You could sense this humble arrogance, like no one is going to beat Catalyst, not at our game.
Catalyst team; Andrew Martineau, Kyle Cunningham, Shelly Yang, Dennis Brosnan, Michelle Pagliarulo, Todd Yeager, Jared Kloeblen, Jonathan Prodouz, Andrew Ricker, Elena Katz-Bassett, Dan Terek, Josh Greenfield, Evan Polisher, Joe Davis, Katie Ingalls, Matt Cullen, and Natasha Ahmed.
The referee motioned me over to call the flip. As this cold, shimmering object twirled through the air I was calmed by knowing the strength of the team behind me.
We lost. We lost the toss that is. They selected to kick first and we sent our team to the field for our first defensive effort against a team that was in great shape. They reminded me of that commercial for Planet Fitness where the gentleman says, “I lift things up and I put them down”. With nervous anticipation, the first pitch was rolled and they placed the ball perfectly in the gap. With the next several pitches they continued to elude our strong defense and ended the inning with two runs.
Did this affect the confidence of our Catalyst Team, not at all. We went up to the plate like we were going to service one of clients; with confidence, skill, and the knowledge that the entire team was behind them. What counts are results, right? Well, results we delivered. With pinpoint accuracy we placed the ball in open areas of the field and with such force the competition could not respond effectively. We ended the first inning tied 2 to 2.
The second inning for the other team was identical to their first, walking away with 2 more runs. Our second inning proved to be just a resting period for what was to come. The score now was 4 for them and 2 for us. This is the time when this writer lost his ability to take any notes as the action was so fast and furious there was no way to keep up with it.
Defensively, the team was flawless. They did not allow another run for the rest of the game. Catches were being made that would amaze the New England Patriots. Runners being pegged left and right.
Smart plays, cutting off the lead runner and tremendous throws across the field for outs left and right. The defensive net could not be penetrated.
Even more exciting was the offensive barrage put on by the Catalyst Team. The power, the accuracy, and the strategy were phenomenal. Base running was superb, while the other team was dazed and confused by our onslaught; we took advantage of not only moving our runners into scoring positions but actually crossing home plate with so many people it turned into a blur. Our offense was relentless for the rest of the game, scoring every inning from here on out. It was like being on a merry-go-round. We just kept putting people on base and moving them around the bases with great precision. The sky was raining orange kickballs.
I looked up to notice that several of the other games going on; soccer, football, curling, and precision water ballet all stopped and the other athletes came over to watch the game in awe. The cheers were so loud that most of the people living in that neighborhood came out of the homes to also cheer on Catalyst.
For this writer it is impossible to single out one person. Like at work, it takes the whole team to have the right skills, at the right time, utilizing them with great precision as well as tremendous teamwork and communication to win. Execution, key to our success. I do have to note that we did have our first home run, kicked by Kyle Cunningham. Did Kyle credit himself for this kick, no; he gave credit to the entire team. Even though the “Slaughter Rule” went into effect, we decided to allow our competition a chance to comeback.
Final score: Catalyst: 13
Other team: 4 (no one remembers who came in second)
Catalyst: 1) something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected 2) a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic
We Are CATALYST ONLINE
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