Selfless act of sports(wo)manship

[bull]

Here's a very cool story that took place here in Oregon during a women's softball game between Western Oregon University and Central Washington University that's making national headlines: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24392612/

An act of sportswomanship
Members of opposing college softball team carry injured hitter around bases to ensure her first-ever home run. TODAY's Ann Curry reports.

updated 1:42 p.m. PT, Wed., April. 30, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. - With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence.

But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.

She crawled back to first but could do no more. The first-base coach said she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. Or, the umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would count as a single.

Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count — an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

[A383Wing]

Good for them...I can only hope that this story will bring sportsmanship around the world to everyone....

Bryan  (yea...I'm dreaming again)

[TheGhost]

Well done.  Very well done.

[The Kid]

Saw that on the morning news yesterday, pretty cool !

[Shakey]

I recall a story on the news years ago about a mentally challenged kid that was on the high school football team but never really got any field time, which was understood by all.  Near the end of the season, the coach made a deal with the opposing team to let the kid make a catch and get a touchdown.

The look on the kids face as he crossed the goal line and then his teammates hoisting them on their shoulder was enough to put tears in ones eyes.

[Goodz]

The softball story is really cool, especially since the team that helped her lost the game and was eliminated.  Makes it a bit more heartwarming than if they were already winning by like 15 runs or something. 

The football story is awesome.  I'm all for making someone feel good, especially if they are handicapped.

[TruckDriver]

I saw this story the other day on tv. Almost brought a tear to my eye. This is something you almost never see anymore. We need more people in the world like those two girls. 

[Charger_Fan]

This is a really cool story. So often today, all you hear of is the bad side...the stories of little league kid's parents getting into fistfights...sports teams getting into brawls, etc. A story like this shows there's a spark of hope out there.
Good for them!

[dkn1997]

This sort of thing happened around here last year or two ago.  An autistic boy who was on the basketball team as a manager type of thing always wanted to play. his coach put him in at the end of a playoff game (I cannot recall, but I think they had pretty much locked up the win)  anyway, this kid gets in the game and begins draining 3 pointers like you read about.  He did really great.  It was a big story here and It will be made into a movie at some point.


edit:  here is the link

http://wizbangblog.com/content/2006/04/19/autistic-basketball-star-gets-movie-deal.php

[twenty mike mike]

And what a contrast to killing trees. 

[Recharger]

Heartwarming and all.  But coach musta been pissed...   

[Goodz]

Heartwarming and all.  But coach musta been pissed...   

Yeah, probably, but the alternative was her LITERALLY crawling around the bases and dragging herself around with only her arms.  It would have taken a lot longer and the outcome would have been the same, I believe.  There is no time limit on rounding the bases after a homer.