Selfless act wows fans during softball game
11:48 AM PDT on Wednesday, April 30, 2008
By kgw.com Staff
FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- A softball game between Western Oregon and Central Washington universities turned into a rare and -- many say -- unforgettable story of compassion and selflessness amid intense competition last Saturday.
Softball players from Central Washington University take sportsmanship to a whole new level as they carry an injured opposing teammate around the bases after her first home run.
It was part of an NCAA double header at the Division II level at Central Washington's stadium and what happened caused the crowd to give a standing ovation.
Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky was at the plate in the top of the second inning of the second game. Neither team had scored yet following Western Oregon’s 8-1 win in the first game. There were two runners on base.
Tucholsky, who had never in her four years hit a home-run, suddenly hit the ball out of the park.
After missing first base and running back to tag it, Tucholsky’s right knee failed her and she collapsed in pain.
The other two runners had already crossed home plate.
In a twist of rules and fate, Central Washington senior Mallory Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace lifted Tucholsky up and carried her around the bases. At each one, they stopped and Tucholsky tapped the base with one foot.
Eventually they deposited her into her teammates’ arms. Holtman and Wallace then returned to their spots and tried to beat the team they had just helped.
Western Oregon won 4-2.(photo by Blake Wolf)
However, Holtman said she’s glad her team showed its character and said she only did what she hopes anyone would have done for her if she’d been in a similar situation.
The story has garnered national attention.
There is a famous French saying by Blaise Pascal:
"Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît pas." - The heart has reasons the mind knows not.
Have you ever wondered why seeing selfless acts of kindness brings about some strong feelings within us?
"“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
~Buddha Gautama
I like the phrase that you put in the final of this post, I want to put another from this great master, "Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace."
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