Published: May 05, 2008 03:02 pm            

Column: The kinder side of sports

Sportsmanship, according to Wikipedia, is defined as the behavior exhibited in playing sports, either good or bad.

In most instances, sports teams, players and coaches across the country, at all levels, exhibit sportsmanship that is considered good. However, in most of those instances the good sportsmanship is not acknowledged and if it is, it’s usually in a parting thought from an opposing player, a coach or a fan.

In those other instances when the sportsmanship is considered bad, we, the sports viewing public, hear about it on television or read about it in newspapers for weeks until something else comes to take the attention and fill the space.

Recently, on a national level, a Division II softball game between Western Oregon and Central Washington took center stage when three players from the two teams combined for a three-run home run. Yes, I said three players from two teams combined for one home run.

Sarah Tucholsky of Western Oregon hit a three-run home run, but injured her knee making the turn at first base while attempting to round the bases. Tucholsky fell to the ground in pain and it was ruled that a pinch runner could replace her on the basepaths, but she would only be credited with a single and two RBIs. However, Tucholsky had two heroes come to her aid in the form of Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace. Holtman and Wallace carried her around the bases, allowing Tucholsky to keep what was the first home run of her career and the three RBIs. The only catch, the three runs were decisive in a 4-2 Western Oregon win, which eliminated Central Washington from postseason play.

While the topic of whether or not an opposing player or players should assist another player to the extent that Holtman and Wallace assisted Tucholsky has been debated in great length, the fact is two players, opposing players, displayed the meaning of good sportsmanship in a way that many would not, at any level.

Holtman and Wallace should be commended for their actions and in some instances they have been, but as is the case in any situation that garners national attention, there have been plenty of critics as well.

A situation, not to the same degree, but similar to this one, happened right here in Weatherford this week when Odessa Bronchos head baseball coach Mike Munguia agreed to play all three games of his team’s bi-district series against the Roos at Raymond E. Curtis Field in order to accommodate the Weatherford players and their prom schedule.

In no way did Munguia have to agree to make the four hour trek to play all three games on Weatherford’s home field, but in a show of good sportsmanship from an adult in a position to set a good example for his players, Munguia agreed to do just that.

So far, the home field advantage for the visitors, Weatherford, has paid off. The Roos opened the series with a 2-1 win Friday night and entered Saturday looking for a second win, which would send them on to the area round of the postseason, which surely would raise some questions about the decision from the Odessa faithful. Weatherford won Game 2 3-2 in 10 innings Saturday, which surely will have some Bronchos fans raising some eyebrows about their coach’s decision to play at the opponents home field.

As I said, this instance is not one that will receive the attention on a national level that the Western Oregon and Central Washington incident has, but at the same time, it’s an instance that should not be overlooked.

        

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