Years ago, my son Paul’s little league team made it to the playoffs. The games were played at an upscale ballpark called “The Field of Dreams.”

Game Two was a night game. We were facing a tough team with a very competitive (and outspoken) coach. As the game progressed a mom asked me, “Do you know what inning it is… and the score?” After answering her, I asked a question that had been bugging me all season, “Why aren’t these wonderful scoreboards ever used?”

Since no one had an answer, and against my wife Anne’s advice, I decided to go find out. Above the concession stand were vacant announcer’s boxes—so I started there. A teenager working the concession counter confirmed my hunch.

“Can I run the scoreboard,” I asked? “Whatever… I guess,” he said as he shrugged and opened the door to let me go up and assess the situation. After finding the control panel, I opened the shutters and looked out over Field #4 where Paul’s team was playing. Getting this scoreboard running will keep the fans informed and make a special memory for the kids, I thought.

I went to power it up and found a large bank of switches, but none were labeled “Scoreboard.” “Excuse me,” I said to the teenager as he filled a popcorn order. “Which switch turns on Scoreboard #4?”

“Beats me,” he responded. At this point my son Mark showed up. “Mom said to forget about the scoreboard and come watch the game.” I agreed, told him what I had learned and asked if he wanted to run the scoreboard. As he headed up to the announcer’s box, I used deductive reasoning and flipped the first of six switches marked #4. Instantly, it became clear that there was no need to try the next switch… Field #4 went black! Then I heard a collective gasp, followed by Mark announcing to Anne from the announcer’s box for all to see and hear, “It was Dad!”

I immediately re-switched the switch but nothing happened… more gasps. As it turns out, stadium lights take 20 minutes to warm up. I used this time to go around and apologize to the fans, players and coaches on both sides for the unplanned break in action. With the exception of Anne (a saint for still being married to me after 30 years) and the opposing coach, most people accepted my apology.

As the lights grew brighter, the opposing coach announced, “Let’s keep it going, boys.” Then he looked in my direction, “They can try, but it will take more than turning off the lights to break our momentum … we came here to win!”

Whether it’s business, a new exercise program, or a little league game, momentum is a powerful force.