A sporting gesture touches 'em all: how many athletes would help an injured opponent if it meant losing the game?

• Author: Vecsey, George
• Position: OPINION

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Something remarkable happened during a college softball game in Ellensburg, Wash. last spring. At least, I've been conditioned to think it was remarkable, since it involved an act of sportsmanship.

Why it seems so unusual stems from the normal. range of bulked-up baseball players, police-blotter football players, and other high-profile pro athletes.

Sara Tucholsky, 21, a senior at Western Oregon, hit what looked like a three-run homer against Central Washington.

But Tucholsky had never hit a ball over the fence before, so she didn't have her home-run trot in order. Gazing in awe, she missed first base. When she turned back to touch the bag, her right knee buckled, and she went down, crying and crawling back to first base.

Pam Knox, her coach, made sure no teammates touched Tucholsky, which would have automatically made her unable to advance. The umpires ruled that if Tucholsky could not make it around the bases, two runs would score but she would be credited with only a single.

Then Mallory Holtman, Central Washington's first baseman, spoke the words that brought a chill to everybody who heard them: "Excuse me, would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?"

The umpires said it was legal. So Holtman and Liz Wallace, Central Washington's shortstop, carried Tucholsky to second base, and gently towered her so she could touch the bag. The odd procession continued to third base and home, to a standing ovation.

The extra run made it easier for Western Oregon to win the second game, 4-2, and sweep the...