The Communicator (Bulletin)

DO UNTO OTHERS…

          It happened in a college softball game in Ellensburg, WA. between Western Oregon and Central Washington—it was the second game of a double header.  The game was scoreless when Western Oregon’s Sara Tucholsky stepped to the plate in the top of the second inning with two runners on base.  The first pitch was a called strike.  She swung at the second pitch and knocked it over the center field fence!

          This was Tucholsky’s first-ever homerun, and in her jubilation, she missed first base on her home run trot.  When she turned to tag the base, her right knee buckled.  Instantly in pain, she managed to crawl back to first base.

           According to Graham Hays, “Umpires confirmed that the only option available under the rules was to replace Tucholsky at first base with a pinch runner and have the hit recorded as a two-run single instead of a three-run home run.  Any assistance from coaches or trainers while she was an active runner would result in an out.  So, Western Oregon Coach Knox prepared to make the substitution, taking both the run and the memory from Tucholsky.”

           Then Coach Knox was asked: “Excuse me. Would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?”  The one asking the question was a member of the opposing team: Central Washington first baseman, Mallory Holtman!

           The umpires ruled it legal, so Holtman and shortstop, Liz Wallace, lifted Tucholsky off the ground, supported her weight between them, and began to carry her around the bases.  They stopped at each of the remaining bases and lowered Tucholsky, allowing her to gently tap the base with her left foot.  The trio finally reached home plate—and with a standing ovation from the fans—the homerun hitter was passed into the arms of her own teammates.            Western Oregon went on to win the game 4-2, but it is the ultimate act of sportsmanship that will be remembered most.

                                                                      A Sargeant, Mobile, Alabama

 **The above excerpt from an article titled “The Ultimate Act of Sportsmanship” triggered in my mind the words of Jesus in Luke 6:31.  We need more reporting in sports events and all events of these kinds of acts reflecting the true sense of what Jesus told us to do for one another.  Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace are my heroes!

                                                                                                                                Dr. Jerry Culbertson