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Most of them would usually be leaving work around 5:30 p.m.
But on Thursday, they were practicing at Kirby Park, waiting to do battle on a field.
The second annual Young Professionals Kickball Tournament drew nine teams and roughly 100 participants.
Michael Dale, F.M. Kirby Center technical director, and son Michael Jr. were lucky enough to be teamed not only with Kirby employees, but members of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. (They called themselves the “KirbyPens.”)
Talk about ringers!
Sponsored by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, the kickball event aims to raise funds for the YMCA children’s summer camp at Camp Kresge.
“Last year, we sent 10 children (to camp), so hopefully this year with our proceeds we’ll be able to send even more,” Lindsay Bezick said.
The groups were spread across all three of the park’s fields, fighting to win multiple games so they could advance through to the championship. Gold and silver medals lined a table under a pavilion, waiting for the members of the top two teams.
Sitting on the sidelines of team “G-Force” was Ahmad Ali, who was yelling to a referee as he tried to determine if his teammate was safe or out.
Last year,“G-Force” was crowned kickball champion. That made his team a target this year, said Ali.
“I hear everybody’s gunning for us yes, but we have a stronger team than last year,” he said of his Genetti’s coworkers. “We have a homegrown team this year. Last year, we were a mixed company.”
An injury prevented Ali from playing this year, but he still wanted to come out and participate.
“I think it’s a really nice thing. I think it’s really cool to get everybody together in a nice, healthy environment,” said Talyah Gabara, another member of the Genetti’s team. “Everybody’s here to have fun, so that’s really awesome to see.”
Started last year, the Chamber’s Young Professionals Network is designed for those ages 20 to 40 who have a desire to further develop and enrich themselves within local businesses and the community.
