“The right thing to do”
Posted by Carl on May 1, 2008
You’ve probably seen this story already, but I thought it deserved an OT mention on the UOLB. Regulars know that I have a soft spot for heartwarming stories.
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.
Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky.
I’m getting a little verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves. I’ll give you a topic: Cloverfield was about neither clover, nor a field. There. I’m better now.
