College softball versus the WNBA
When college kids showed more class than the WNBA
Advertisement
I came across a very inspirational story yesterday. It was interesting because it provided a stark contrast to another story that’s been unfolding over the last few weeks. And the words “stark contrast” don’t adequately describe it.
The inspirational story involved a game between two women’s college softball teams that took place in 2008. This was a crucial conference game that had playoff implications. A young woman named Sara Tucholsky, playing for Western Oregon, hit her first career home run. There were two runners on base and two outs. Ms. Tucholsky was a senior, playing in what would be her last college game. As she rounded first, she realized she hadn’t touched the bag. If she didn’t touch the base, the home run would not count. She turned around, and in doing so, tore the ACL in her knee and fell to the ground in agony. She was in such pain that she couldn’t even crawl back to first base.
Advertisement
This was an odd situation, but the rules were clear. If Sara’s teammates helped her, she’d be called out. If her team put in a pinch runner, Sara would be credited only with a single. Sara had to touch all four bases herself, or the play was over. She was stranded between first and second base, with no legal way to complete her first and only career home run.
Mallory Holtman, from the first base position for Central Washington, watched the situation unfold. She was also a senior and Central Washington’s career home run leader. She had hit more home runs than any other player in her school’s history, and this was her final home game. Both teams were competing for a spot in the playoffs, and if Sara’s home run stood, Central Washington’s hopes were dim.
Advertisement
Mallory did something amazing. She asked the umpire if she could help Sara. The umpire replied that there was no rule saying she couldn’t. She enlisted the help of her teammate, shortstop Liz Wallace. They carefully lifted Sara, carried her to second base, and lowered her so she could touch the bag with her good leg. They carried her on to third base and then to home.
When asked why they had placed their own team’s standing in jeopardy by helping an opposing player, Mallory replied, “She earned it.” She went on to say, “Winning is important, but not at the cost of doing what’s right.”
Advertisement
ESPN and the major news outlets eventually covered the story. All three women received the ESPY Award for Best Moment in Sports in 2008. People still talk about that moment; you can find videos of it online. That moment exemplified selflessness, respect for the game and for one’s opponent, and a level of sportsmanship that transcended rivalry.
The “stark contrast” comes into play when we compare the actions of Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace with various members of the WNBA. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark has been subjected to countless violent incidents since her rookie season. These include pokes to her eyes, body checks, a fist to her throat from Alyssa Thomas, and inconsistent officiating where Clark was sometimes penalized despite being the victim of the attack. Caitlin Clark is a white, Catholic, heterosexual playing in a league whose players are predominantly black and include many openly gay athletes
Advertisement
Clark’s presence in the WNBA has brought new life to the sport, drawing large crowds whenever and wherever her team plays.
The contrast between the actions of Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace and those of the various members of the WNBA who attack Caitlin Clark is striking. The former shows opponents aiding an injured rival at great personal cost, while the WNBA record shows repeated aggressive cheap shots at a high-profile player, while officials sometimes penalize the victim while the perpetrators are barely held accountable.
Advertisement
The amateurs at the college level fostered idealism, whereas the professionals exhibit rivalry, resentment, and a win-at-all-costs mentality. The former reinforces positive values and gains the admiration of the public, whereas the latter alienates fans and damages the growth of the league.
The softball story demonstrates what true sportsmanship should look like, whereas the WNBA incidents reveal the challenges in maintaining it at the professional level.
Legitimate growth for women’s sports requires balancing competitiveness with respect, not to mention honest officiating and coaches willing to support the players on their team while imposing discipline on them when necessary.
Many of the women in the WNBA could learn a thing or two from those college softball players.
