Wonderful Example of College Sportsmanship

[binx]

TimeCruncher - thank you for taking the time to point out an opposing point of view. I forget at times like these that there are people who live in a much harder, less forgiving, less gracious world.

If I read the article correctly, the winning team won 4-2. The girl who hit the HR batted in two ahead of herself. So the team would have won 3-2, instead of 4-2. Unless the coach did as you suggest, and allowed the girl to attempt to crawl slowly and painfully around the bases. She may have done so, may have succeeded, and may have even been able to do it without further damage to her leg.

These girls took the high road. And I don't see that they gave up all that much to do so. What is remarkable is that they were able to see another human being who needed help, and not just "an opponent." So much of the world is we vs. they, or worse, me vs. you. Nice to see "we" wihtout "they" once in awhile. What is sad is that so many would take your road - no help for anyone else, whether or not it directly affects the helper.

[TimeCruncher]

To emeraldkity4: I have reported your (personal attack) Post #13 to administrators as a “Problem Post” due to your youtube link (in violation of CC rules).

To HarrietMWelsch: My Post #12 was straightforward, unambiguous, and thoroughly understandable. I don’t think you are “puzzled,” “lost,” or “baffled” by my statements. I do think you disagree with me.

To binx: I live in the Real World, and I am willing to accept that fact. According to the news article cited by the OP, “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.…” For Central Washington, the “high road” led to self-defeat. Wonderful? Sportsmanlike? Admirable? Not in my book.

[jollymon]

Timecruncher - as a basketball coach, teacher and dad who wants my kids to play hard and try to win, I can honestly say you embarrassed yourself with your silly responce. My teams play hard, very hard. But at no time, would I ever let them lose sight of the bigger picture in life. This was exactly what is good about sports. Far after this game was over, both teams ended up as winners. You have lost sight of why we go out on the court, play hard, often bleed, but never ever win at any cost. These young ladies are the true winners in every way. God Bless athletes like this!

[atomom]

Another person in tears at this sweet story.

TimeCruncher, you are entitled to your opinion.

[HarrietMWelsch]

Timecruncher, I most certainly do disagree with you, but you're mistaken about whether I was being arch or sarcastic in saying I was puzzled.

I really don't get what you mean to say. Does your stance apply to every game and every circumstance? Suppose your team won on a call that was clearly wrong. Not a judgment call, or a call bcs of poor visibility, but just plain wrong. Everyone saw it and agreed, including the opposing coach. But you got the win.

Are you telling us you would refuse it? If not, and even if so, how then how do you reconcile these two claims:

It is not about individuals or teams accepting unfair and/or undeserved victory or defeat under any circumstances, no matter how untimely, unfortunate, or heart-wrenching.

With this:

I would have demonstrated genuine sportsmanship by refusing to allow my team to accept an unfair and undeserved victory.

Is it just a typo? Did you mean to say, the first time, that it IS about accepting unfair and/or undeserved victory?

I'd still disagree with you, but at least I'd have a better idea of what you're actually trying to say.

Also, how are you liking the fact that despite your opening a post with a line containing this,

Pardon me while I vomit.

, people are still responding to you civilly? Must be all that touchy-feely bunk we've had crammed down our throats.

[TimeCruncher]

To HarrietMWelsch:

No typo.

The news article cited by the OP did not describe an event involving a missed call or a bad call by the umpire; it described an event in which both coaches “collaboratively” agreed to abandon fair competition by exploiting a loophole in the rules. In my opinion, both coaches engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct, and neither is to be commended.

I will open any post any way I choose within CC rules. I was commenting upon the news article cited by the OP. I was not commenting upon the OP.

[Nester]

EmeraldKitty -- I'm going to report you, too, for your egregious insult to Valley girls in post #13.

[UCDAlum82]

The news article cited by the OP did not describe an event involving a missed call or a bad call by the umpire; it described an event in which both coaches “collaboratively” agreed to abandon fair competition by exploiting a loophole in the rules. In my opinion, both coaches engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct, and neither is to be commended.

Why do you think it's a loophole? I'm of the opinion the rules are written just as they are, allowing teams to choose to not take advantage of an opponent's injury to pick up a perceived unfair advantage. And since the publicity around this news story made it quite clear that it is legal in NCAA II softball to pick up your injured opponent and help them finish running the bases, if the NCAA feels as you do I'm sure they will close that "loophole" posthaste. I'm thinking that's not going to happen.