Photo by Kevin Dooley

It used to be that athletes were some of the best examples around for young kids to look up to as role models. Hard work, diligence, and good sportsmanship were par for the course in the sports world.

Not anymore.

In today’s society the word “sports” has become synonymous with drugs, steroids, and fast living. Your child hangs a picture of his favorite athlete on his bedroom wall, only to leave you explaining a year later why so-so is a cheat and not a great person for little Johnny to follow.

But in the midst of the corruption, every now and then we see glimmers of what sport is really about. A reminder of a world we once thought was gone forever, lost to the gods of money, power, and fame.

My business is tennis, so I confess that I don’t spend as much time with other sports as I would like. Every Olympiad I love to follow my favorite events including figure skating, swimming, gymnastics, curling, and yes, tennis, but when it comes to the everyday baseball, football, or basketball seasons, I couldn’t even tell you where the Houston Astros, Texans, or Rockets were on the standings.

Yet, every now and then a story catches my eye, one that reminds me why I write about sports in the first place.

Ever heard of Central Washington University’s women’s softball team? Before a few weeks ago, neither had I.

CWU was up against Western Oregon University in a conference doubleheader last month when Oregon’s Sara Tucholsky stepped up to the plate. Tucholsky, who had never hit a home run in her years of playing high school or college softball, smashed a hit deep over the center field fence. As Sara’s teammates rounded the bases for the supposed three run homer, Sara herself bounded down the line to complete her pass around the diamond. However, just after she approached the first base, the unthinkable happened as she collapsed with an injured knee.

Lying on the ground in pain, Sara managed to crawl back to the overshot first base, while the rest of her team and the umpire attempted to figure out her predicament. The rules stated that she must touch all three bases and home plate to get credit for a home run, yet given the state of her injury that appeared to be impossible. Her teammates, at a loss for a solution, offered to help her make the rounds with their support, only to be informed that too would be against the rules.

It was at this moment that a player on the opposing team stepped up with an idea. Mallory Holtman, the first baseman for Central Washington, happened to know the rules as well, and although Sara’s teammates could not help her, there was nothing in the book restricting the opposing team from helping out. Shortly after getting the umpire’s permission, Mallory and her teammate Liz Wallace lifted Sara Tucholsky and carried her around the bases, stopping briefly at each bag so Sara could be credited for the three runs.

Incidentally, Mallory and Liz’ team went on to lose the ball game (and their shot at the playoffs), but they walked off the field winners that day in Ellensburg, Washington.

So often we think winning is everything, but it’s really not. People forget scoreboards. Not many people will remember who won the World Series in 1987 or who won the French Open in 2004. No offense to the Minnesota Twins or Anastasia Myskina, but that’s going to be forgotten.

It is the acts of heroism, courage, and good sportsmanship that will ultimately stay with us forever.

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