Softball player carried around bases by opponents

The footage was taken by Sue Wallin, a parent at the game. Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon is up to bat against Central Washington. The video picks up as Tucholsky hits her first ever - in her life - home run. Just past 1st base, she tears a ligament in her knee and is unable to run any further. The umpires state that if her teammates or coaches assist her she will be declared out and if a pinch runner is substitued for her, her homer will be declared a single. Hearing this, Central Washington's Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace offer to carry her around the bases. Thus ends Tucholsky's softball season and career.

[@kumquat52]

I'm 58 years old and became a professional umpire, because I have always believed in sportsmanship and fair play. This video brought tears streaming down my face. These young women "GET it"! ...and they had no idea when they instinctively performed this act of compassion, just how many of their fellow human beings would rise to our feet, cheering and applauding their "doing the right thing". Be proud of yourselves. WE certainly are...

[@Reubenhubert]

The ones who helped her around the bases are the real winners in this game. They displayed the best example of sporting behavior.

[@eaglescout1208]

having played all sports for 21 years. I cant think of any time I have seen more sportsmanship shown than what these two girls did. congratulations to you sara for reaching your goal of hitting a home run. to Liz Wallace and Mallory Holtman parents. You did a fantastic job raising your daughters. I pray that Sara will completely heal from this injury, that God would bless each one of these girls in a special way and that others would see this video as an true example of sportsmanship

[@swiftfellow]

The very definition of class and sportmanship. The world needs more people like this!

[@ptownblazer]

One of the finest moments in sports I have ever seen. It shows real sense of class. Best wishes for all those involved.

[@cjvideo22]

Apparently, these kids have learned a more valuable life lesson about how to treat and respect others. They could play for my team any day of the week!!!

[@OldSkoolTapes12]

I have coached softball for 17 years and I have never seen a better sign of sportsmanship than that. I tip my cap to those ladies.

[@centojack]

Great job gals. No matter where you go in life, you've touched people the world over.

[@nopiluvin]

Glad to see there's good people still around in this world. Congrats on the homer!

[@LunaHayden]

Wow. After 8 years of playing softball, I've never seen anything like this happen before. This is truly amazing. Most teams wouldn't of helped her so that the run wouldn't count against them.

[@CatWhispurrer]

Congratulations to Sara, and Kudos to Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace for stepping up to display true character by doing the right & decent thing, despite the outcome! You not only won the good sportsmanship "Best Moment" ESPY for 2008 ~ you taught a Great Life Lesson to the World! THANK YOU!

[@snowgrett14]

Oh my, i just read this story in Sports Illustrated and it gave me such hope that the world has people that still value sportsmanship and decency. Long live Mallory and Liz!

[@Dannkyu]

thats sportsmanship right there

[@RJUBY]

tHIS isan awesome show of great sportsmanship esp for the 2 girls carrying her around the bases! I've seen hundreds of softball and baseball games but I've never witnessed such dedication to the sport itself! ;

[@Sunshineplox11]

what that other team did was dope!! im glad there are still people around with good sportsmanship

[@ateevo]

Those are real athletes. No steroids, no stupid gunshot charges or DWI. Playing for the love of the game. Class all the way and true sportsmenship. Bravo!!

[@RyanMcCabe]

Now this is what sports are all about. Great spotsmanship. Truly inspirational.

[@d4rk4ngel132]

That's beautiful! Unbelievable sportsmanship especially when it proves to be the game winning run. My hats off to those girls.

[@MrFxaxrx]

I have been watching sporting events for many years and I have never witnessed this ever happening anywhere. like it was stated earlier, it wasn't sportsmanship but basic decent humanity at its very best.

[@philsgirl17]

being a softball player myself this made me cry. i hope that if i were put in the same situtation i would have also done this. it was such a nice thing to do and now in the days of everyone being all about winning this amazes me

[@ThomasGiles]

nice display of sportmanship!

[@tjsierratj]

I seen this on a billboard in Iowa! It makes me cry. Wonderful sportsmanship.

[@aldogukguk]

i am a captain and a manager of a local softball league and if the same situation happens in our game, we will do the same , keeping quiet and hpe for a lucky win would be the greater disgrace and i am sure the team will be boycotted in any league series ..hurray for the fielders , this is their win ..

[@toridegiosio]

We just heard about this last night, when it was mentioned on EPSN2 during coverage of the college softball world series. I showed it to my daughter, who is 12 and playing LL softball, to show her what true sportsmanship looks like. Thanks for posting this video. I think all players should watch this!

[@alleyluv]

that was the nicest thing i've seen in sportsmanship! great job!!!!

[@scrgoalie8]

it made national coverage. this is simply amazing. what incredible sportsmanship and selflessness. truly inspiring

[@yumfy]

This is an unbelievable display of sportsmanship, good heart and just plain great humanity. Something should be done with this story.

[@arizenzei]

simply incredible. thank you for sharing. =)

[@crby12345]

thank you for being a great role model and giving me someone to teach my kids to be like! I hope it inspires more people to be like you both. Congratulations to your team and coach for who you all are!

[@buddy122]

I wanna cry every time i watch this. I'd like to think more players would volunteer themselves for such giving actions. Being a long-time softball player, this really hits home (yeah yeah, a pun). :)

[@Fugate171]

This is a great moment. I really like the professionalism shown after the trip around the bags. Nice job ladies, on both teams!!!

[@NICKRITZER]

im really surprised this wasnt included in ESPNS highlights of the decade..I consider this to be the number one sports highlight of the decade

[@shelleystevens2180]

What a tremendous act of human kindness!

[@PriscillaMoore]

@yosu79 The video isn't about the injured player, it's about the sportsmanship of the other team.

[@wyomingrose1]

It is now in Sports Illustrated dated June 29, 2009. So yes, it did make the news. Very admirable of these two girls to do this.

[@amyelizabeth124]

I think that those girls are amazing people. They saw that someone needed help, put themselves aside and helped her. That is couragous! We need more people like that in the world!

[@PWMinistries]

Very compelling! We need more acts of kindness and less "Self-Promoting" in Sports these days. Job well done, Young Ladies!

[@JayhawkJazzy]

This is why sports is one of the most emotional and inspirational activities in our lives today :)

[@AZspaceGUY]

We need more of this in sports. THANKS for posting this!!

[@Nato61]

I am crying right now...... that was so beautiful. OMG what a gesture of excellent sportsmanship.

[@sbgurl22]

wow. All i have to say is great sportsmanship...and also it's awesome to know that we have great rolemodels out there for the younger generations of athletes to come. WAYTTA BE LADIES!!-kudos

[@zimetz]

If you don't get the magnitude of what happened in this video, then you were probably never involved in competitive sports.... These girls showed true class, they did what was right, not because they had to, but because they wanted to.

[@Kalena499]

Truly a show a class on behalf of the Central Washington's players. For those who were critical or had negative things to say - you clearly don't know why the game is played which is to build character. Sports transcend life and teach sportsmanship along with other important traits. I teach athletes and hire them as well and my only hope is that people understand the spirit of the message this video clip conveys. Well done ladies!!

[@FireIceAiken]

I live in Washington & my friend is going to Central & I'd never even heard this story until we got a Sports Illustrated in the mail & mom made me read the article about this. I had to see the video - & wow, that's pretty amazing. :]]

[@sballchic22]

as an ex western Oregon softball player I'm deeply touched to see what camaraderie we have in the conference even when it's a conference game and could potentially cost someone the game...athletes first, winning second...it's the training that all coaches (including collegiate) are suppose to take now in the state of Oregon

[@sharkdude8814]

all three were honored tonight at the ESPY awards for best moment-and these awards are voted on by fans-not media or anyone else-if you want to see the award it is near the very end of the awards show which will be shown several times over the next few days on ESPN

[@empro11]

im glad they did tht it shows tht even tht ur opponents and total stranger u can be freinds and help each other out

[@humphreyker]

This is classy. Well done.

[@dagezk]

I know nothing about softball but i know great sportsmanship when I see it. Truly inspirational! My fav - well done girls!

[@buffyaangel]

this is the best sportsmanship i have ever seen in a softball game, those girls did a noble and very honorable thing!

[@snicker368]

i love this video it shows that even in a game/competition people are still caring it brings out there care inside them and its just inspirational

[@JrotChick]

i always watch this video when i have a bad day...and i instantly feel better due to the sportsmanship shown here

[@newphx]

Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace are the best. It is so great to see this kinda of sportsmanship where someone actually sees "the big picture" when it comes to what is really important. You two have created such great karma. Talk about 'Angels in the Outfield'!! Play of the Year!

[@StacieTill]

That was sooo nice of them to do that!!! That is great way to show good sportsmanship!!!!!!!!

[@caitlinrenee33]

oh wow. the two girls who did that for her showed great sportsmanship. i saw this on tv a few days ago actually. i hope she's doing better. and it really does suck that your whole softball carrer is over because of this. - caitlin

[@diva5o]

amazing sportsmanship!! if they gave awards for it, you two ladies should get a year supply

[@waukee20]

wow this is amazing if that other team lost the game b/c of the home run and they still carried her around the bases is truly amazing!!!! awsome sportsmanship!!!!

[@PowerFor15]

It should be noted that the umpires' ruling here is incorrect. A homerun is a special case - yes, all four bases have to be touched, but there is no rule stating the player who hit it must do it. A pinch-runner CAN be subbed in to finish out the home run without penalty or danger of being thrown out. The umpiring crew blew it, which makes it even better that the opposing team did this for the girl.

[@whudafxupwithtrix]

you don't see sportsmanship like this very often. good job ladies.

[@fancyphotographer]

wow that was amazing. i love the sportsmanship in softball. i am glade to have been a part of such an awsome sport. those girls deserved their espy award.

[@ebball15]

Those girls did the right thing. cuz she waz out for rest of season and i think tat ended her career and she hit the FIRST homerun ever in her life. Thanks 2 those girls she gets 2 keep that memory forever.Good sportsmanship is what true heart is made of. True heart is what u need 2 succeed in anything!

[@ukgirlonce]

fantastic sportswomanship....they had the right influences obviously!!! God bless 'em!!!

[@Jeff98177]

The moment I saw the picture accompanying the story - where the ladies re-created what happened that day - I knew what the story was about. That was incredible.

[@treeandjack]

I cry everytime I see this. Awesome!

[@linedrivee]

my brother says that was stupid that they would help the other team and that boys sports would never do anything like that. but i think this is one of the nicest most selfless things i've ever seen.

[@Dave8972]

Beautiful! I'd heard about this. Now I'm glad I found the video.

[@Mad4softball]

This is my favorite video. That is major sportsmanship right there

[@Humanbrain001]

Hopefully, we can see more of that sportsmanship in the future.

[@cibida1]

I just saw this on the ESPY's and I had tears welling up. And I'm a guy who hardly cries.

[@funfamily04]

i play softball as well and seeing this is like wow. That was great sportsmanship.

[@star4u022]

i play softball and not alot of people would do that. it is amazing especially if it eliminated them from the tournament. unbelievable

[@skalouko]

that is soooo coool.......congradulation to the other team....you probably showed the greatest sportsmanship, ever...ever...that is so awesome...wish we had more people like that in the world,, it'd be so much more peacful..congradulations again girls...great role model..

[@Marge332]

this is really great! beautiful example of sportsmanship!

[@huskyjerk]

That is great! Very touching display!!!

[@MMcGrew]

awesome now that is the way the game should be played with heart and compassion for you team mates you opisition and the great game of ball baseball or softball

[@d4rk4ngel132]

Thank you.

[@mvptony22]

that shows alot of class and sportsmanship wish there was more of that in sports, majors on down

[@TatorTot0392]

That's amazing! Amazing people!

[@maddphenom]

Haven't seen unselfish sportsmanship like that since Lighting Mcqeen help the King finish his last race. Awesome.

[@taipan185]

That right there is what playing any game is all about.... Way to go girls.

[@x3flyersupshall9]

yes it does. she was a senior. they're going to championships, but she will be unable to play because it takes months to recover from ACL injuries.

[@EternityintheRain12]

My softball coach told us this story at the beginning of our season. The two girls who were carrying her starting were saying things like 'This probably looks kinda weird,' and stuff. I really admire them.

[@blotto405]

good form. very good show of class

[@yokohamaguy75]

That's just fantastic.

[@UtahMike41]

This is sportsmanship at its finest. Too bad a lot of people only care about winning. Don't get me wrong, winning is nice but playing is what really matters. I saw a baseball game where the pitcher had a line drive come back and hit him in the face and knock him out. The batter got about half way to first, realized what happened and went to help the opposing teams pitcher. He didn't care about anything else except making sure the guy was OK. Again, true sportsmanship.

[@eadt12]

that is how its supposed to be all sportsmanship so wat if they are palyin eachother that is wat you call respect off and on the feild

[@CadillacL]

I just saw this. AMAZING sportsmanship. :)

[@MasonProductions3]

amazing sportsmanship

[@58sb]

true sportmanship right there you dont see that alot now and days

[@JANEANDASHLEY]

good sportsmanship

[@torixsmileyx]

omg thts the nicest thing i've ever seen any other player do and i play softball

[@shortdeath0]

Proud to be a Central Washington University wildcat!!! You rock girls!

[@pkrc599]

Oh my god! I met Sara!!! She was at a clinic I went to!!!!! I aplaud these girls!!!!!

[@briguy6010]

Not to be harsh, but was it necessary to be carried? I tore my ACL and medial and lateral menisci and walked off and tried to come back 20 minutes later. She could have been helped and not carried, like hopping on one leg with her arms over their shoulders...

[@riyusVids69]

i miss my basketball friend we use to play basketball every time we were free. we would call our own fouls and after every game we would tell each other what we should improve on I LOVE U FARAZ

[@allthatremains2009]

props to both teams.

[@yboywonder]

This is the classiest act of athletes I've ever seen (sad huh?). The Central girls did what was RIGHT and didn't think twice about it. My hats off to the Central Washington team, coach, and parents. I'm a Husky alumni living in Oregon and couldn't be prouder if those girls were my own. Nice job!

[@FUBAR956]

That isn't just great sportsmanship....or would it be sportswomanship...anyway. It also shows class. It doesn't matter who wins or looses. It's how you play the game. And that is how you play.

[@lulagirl4]

this is what sports is all about. they deserved all the recognition they got from this....

[@gavgav08]

yes it is, its is the opposing team and they dont have possession of the ball, they are also not interfering with her ability to "make"the play. if you want to get technical. it is allowed.