By now you probably heard the story about the collegiate women’s softball playoff game in Portland during which a player, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University, hit a home run and blew out her knee while running to first base.
Because Tucholsky was unable to trot around the bases, and teammates are not allowed to physically assist their runners, the homer was about to be revoked. However, to everyone’s amazement, two members of the opposing team (shortstop Liz Wallace and first baseman Mallory Holtman of Central Washington University) picked Tucholsky up and carried her around the bases–a move that directly cost Central Washington the game and knocked them out of the playoffs.
Sports fans across the nation praised the action as being sportsmanly. The sports media all gurgled with appreciation. ESPN said it was the “ultimate act of sportsmanship.” Who could blame them? In an era of egotistical athletes, cheating head coaches and dog-torturing superstars, it’s understandable for this extraordinary act of selflessness to be viewed as true sportsmanship.
Except for one small problem – there was nothing particularly sportsmanlike about it.
