Randy Cassingham's Blog

Posted by Carl from Provo, UT on May 3, 2008:

According to the NCAA softball rules, none of this was necessary:

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

See 2008 NCAA Softball rules (PDF file)

The ball over the fence constitutes a dead ball, with home plate awarded, and the substitute could legally enter, touch all bases, and score the run. The batter's home run would still score, as would the RBI. I suspect that the run scored would go to the substitute.

If the umpire had remembered this rule, we'd have missed the opportunity for a sportsmanship display.

Posted by Mike, Georgia on May 3, 2008:

I'd substitute this comment instead:

"Winning is much more than the final score - it's how you treat your opponent during the game."

The final score will be forgotten. The opposing team's girls did a great kindness to an injured fellow player by finding a way for her to get credit for her home run. That's something that will never be forgotten by anyone who was there, or by anyone who watches this video.

Posted by Andre, Canada on May 3, 2008:

Reminds me of: "Canada's most notable event in Olympic sailing competition was from the 1988 Seoul games, where Larry Lemieux was racing towards a certain medal finish, but stopped to help two Singaporean sailors whose boat had capsized during the race. Lemieux was later presented an award from IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch to honor his act of bravery". I remember it as being his act of SPORTSMANSHIP. I can only hope that Mallory Holtman's act has been honored in the same way.

Posted by Cheryl, Pennsylvania on May 4, 2008:

I played this clip for my ten year old son and can tell you he too was near tears. These are the type lessons I want him to remember. The score is not the only determining factor in the game, although it is counted and important for the standings. The way we play the game and treat those giving it their all is what matters when the lights go out. I attend children's games and am appalled by the parents' behaviors. The kids can teach all of them a lesson. Support others, play your best and hope to win by being the better player not a loudmouth pushy person who plays dirty.

Posted by Sarah, MA on May 4, 2008:

Sorry, Randy, I have to agree with Don's take on this. I sure wish that more young athletes displayed this sort of attitude - true sportsmanship includes compassion, even at the cost of a win.

---

No apology needed: I agree with what you say. But what does that have to do with "feeling good at the end of the day"? -rc

Posted by Frank , Tasmania Australia on May 4, 2008:

WOW, Bravo, a lesson for all of us. What a fantastic display of integrity, Mallory. I salute you.

Posted by Mike from Dallas on May 4, 2008:

The lesson learned? Good thing that Mallory could demonstrate leadership because apparently not a single one of the officials could do it. In boxing and other martial arts, an official can throw in the towel on behalf of contender who needs medical attention. The contender may not like it; certainly the contender will forfeit the competition. But it sure beats standing around with a thumb up the anatomy wondering whatEVER shall we do??? No matter what decision a leader makes, some will agree with it and others will disagree. But no official would make such a decision; the teachers, the coaches of the next generation of our successors.

The lesson learned here is that leaders ARE born, not made.

Posted by Steve Chicago on May 5, 2008:

Technically, she did hit the homerun so if I was on the opposing team, I would give it to her.

Posted by frank - Pennsylvania on May 5, 2008:

touching story - it's just too bad the speaker isn't a baseball/softball fan. Only a non-sportsman would call a RUN a "point". And anyone hitting .318 in the majors makes million$; someone hitting .418 would make mega million$.

Posted by Olen - Highland, CA on May 7, 2008:

A friend once said to me, "Nice guys always finish last," to which I responded, "I guess it depends on where you put the finish line." I might have ended the video with, "Winning isn't everything; it's being true to your values that matters most."