The true meaning of sportsmanship (WARNING: LUMP-IN-THE-THROAT TIME)

[IntravenousDemilo]

I just saw this report on the late news and I had to look it up and share it with you guys. The story is truly remarkable and beautiful, and oddly life-affirming, but I can only give you a teaser.

Softball opponents offer unique display of sportsmanship
Brian Meehan, The Oregonian

Gary Frederick thought he had seen everything in 40 years at Central Washington University. He'd coached baseball and women's basketball for 11 years, been an assistant on the football team for 17 and athletic director for 18.

Last weekend, he learned he was wrong.

In the top of the second inning as his Wildcats played host to Western Oregon University in Ellensburg, Wash., something happened that spoke to the beauty of athletics. It came in the form of a home run that no one in attendance will forget.

"Never in my life had I seen anything like it," said Frederick, 70, in his 14th season as softball coach.

"It was just unbelievable."


http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/04/the_best_tale_of_sportsmanship.html

[krispos42]

1. Happy to K&R it again

And to post this picture of the OTHER TEAM helping her around the bases...

[merh]

2. I heard about this on one of the morning talk shows

they had photos of the the two members of the other team carrying her around the bases.

That team may not have won the game but because of those two women, the team and the coach have won the admiration and respect of millions. What a team, what players, what true sportsmanship.

:thumbsup:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. My dear IntravenousDemilo!

What a story!

It made me cry and get the lump in the throat as well...

K&R

:cry:

[Roxy66]

4. That is such a cool story.....I actually went to Western Oregon many moons ago.

Those girls who carried her should get lots of recognition for what they did.

[rocktivity]

5. She hit the ball over the fence; it was indisputably a legitimate home run.

She deserved to have it count, and the other team knew it. It's called sportsmanship.

Cue the Vonage theme.

:woohoo:
rocknation

[grantcart]

6. I suggest that you give it a title "metaphor for the primary" or something like

that and post it in GDP so that everyone will see it.

great post.

[lapfog_1]

9. Not to hijack this thread... which is a great story...

but you do know WHY Bill Richardson endorsed Barack Obama, don't you? Obama did something similar for Bill in a debate.

[grantcart]

11. great point and that should be the basis for the thread

I am out of posts but you should do it absolutely great analogy.

[Buns_of_Fire]

7. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what you call "class"

Especially notable, unfortunately, because we see so damned little of it these days.

[Triana]

8. WOW! Mallory Holtman will make ONE FINE coach! Great story. Thanks! n/t

[sammythecat]

10. Thanks for posting that. It put a smile on my face.

[intaglio]

12. Great story - rec and kick!

[ClayZ]

13. Thanks for posting! K and R

[BlueCollar]

14. K&R

Great story...

:thumbsup:

[terrya]

15. This deserves to be on the Greatest Page...because it's a great story.

Happily kicking and recommending this story about true sportmanship.

SHMILY

[emperor124]

16. This is amazing

You never hear about stuff like this happening anymore. Kudos to the other team

[scarpa43]

17. Reminds me of this story

This past weekend my company sponsored a huge charity softball tournament benefiting Texas Children's Hospital. There were 42 teams and over 200 games played Saturday and Sunday, and every game had a bat boy or girl that was either a current or past patient at TCH. We were encouraged to make this a special day for them and below is a short story from the event.


"On Sunday I was fortunate enough to watch two teams gather in a circle around the bat boy at the end of the game. I don’t know what was said during that time, maybe words of encouragement, a prayer, best wishes or all of the above. That was the signature moment for me out of the many events that occurred over the weekend…until the winning team lifted the bat boy on their shoulders and carried him off the field with both hands lifted as high as they could reach!!! What a wonderful moment. I can only imagine what that little boy was feeling…"

[jtrockville]

18. Beautiful.