Who Really Won the Game?

From Fox Sports on MSN:

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence. But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury. She crawled back to first, but could do no more. The first base coach told her she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her around the bases. The umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would only count as a single. Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count - an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky. The umpire said there was no rule against it. So Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace put their arms under Tucholsky's legs, and she put her arms over their shoulders. The three headed around the base paths, stopping to let Tucholsky touch each base with her good leg. As the trio reached home plate, Tucholsky said, the entire Western Oregon team was in tears.

Central Washington coach Gary Frederick, a 14-year coaching veteran, called the act of sportsmanship "unbelievable." Tucholsky's home run sent Western Oregon to a 4-2 victory, ending Central Washington's chances of winning the conference and advancing to the playoffs.

"In the end, it is not about winning and losing so much," Holtman said. "It was about this girl. She hit it over the fence and was in pain, and she deserved a home run."

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I ask you, who really won the game?

Western Oregon University won the game in the physical plane (4-2). Mallory Holtman and teammate, Liz Wallace score a victory in the game of life. Holtman and Wallace get it! They understand what is truly important in life; unselfishly giving of yourself for the benefit of another. They could have forced Western Oregon University to use a pinch runner, keeping their team in the game, but they choose to sacrifice personal benefit in exchange for doing the right thing.

How about you? Are you willing to sacrifice personal benefit for doing the right thing? All to often we get caught up in our busy and hectic schedule that we miss out or are blind to doing the right thing. We come across people everyday that could use our assistance in one form or another. It could be in the form physical assistance, a listening ear or as simple as a smile. Are we taking the time to recognize people in need? Does our schedules force the things we deem as urgent to crowd out the important things in life? Can we balance the scale by being a little less self-centered and a little more other-centered?

We all can learn a lesson from two collegiate athletes who have taught us an important lesson in life; recognizing what's really important, followed by doing the right thing. Holtman and Wallace recognized that sportsmanship and helping their opponent was more important than winning the game. They not only recognized the right thing to do; they took action.

There is no greater spiritual reward than helping a person in need when there is nothing to be gained from the physical plane. Holtman and Wallace, did the right thing; they helped their opponent even though they suffered a loss in the physical plane. They may have lost a softball game, but their unselfish act of kindness, makes them a champion in a much more important game; the game of life.

Remember there will never be another May 27, 2008 so make it your best!
It's your life; live it, love it & celebrate it!
MJD