Thank the Umps for Not Knowing Rules

The sporting world is all abuzz lately about what happened in a women's college softball game between Western Oregon and Central Washington on April 27th. It's an incredible, touching tale of true sportsmanship.

A rather diminutive senior for Western Oregon, Sara Tucholsky, hit the first home run of her college career with two on in a 0-0 playoff game. In her exuberance somehow she missed touching first base. As she went back to the bag, she managed to completely destroy her knee. The umpires said if she could get back to first base then Western Oregon could let a pinch runner complete the bases, but that Tucholsky would be credited with a two-run RBI single, and not a home run. If anyone from her team touched her, she would be called out.

So two players from Central Washington stepped in and carried Tucholsky around the diamond, helping her touch each base. What a wonderful example of what sports is all about! It puts to shame all the jerk coaches and parent-managers out there to whom there is no reason to play anything other than to win. I can think of several "coaches" for whom I have either played or competed who would have used this opportunity to argue that the runs shouldn't count, the batter should be called out and that they are going to only play the remainder of the game under protest.

The sad part of the story is that the umpires got it wrong. If it weren't for their ignorance, this wonderful story of respect and compassion wouldn't have reached its huge level of popularity. You see, the rule clearly states:

If an injury to a batter-runner or runner prevents her from proceeding to an awarded base, the ball is dead and the substitution can be made. The substitute must legally touch all awarded or missed bases not previously touched.

When she fell to the ground, all Western Oregon had to do it pull a substitute runner from the bench to complete the trip around the bases. Tucholsky would be credited with her home run and this never would have made it to the national media.

I guess I'm glad the umpires didn't know the rules as well as they should. It's such a fantastic moment that I'm sure it will be replayed many more times in years to come. It should. And every coach and team that forgets how wonderful sports can be should look at the photo of Central Washington's two players helping their opponent achieve her magical, memorable moment.

An excellent article about this game can be found on ESPN.com written by Graham Hays.