Published: July 11, 2008 09:55 pm         

How far would you help carry someone?

During a Great Northwest Athletic Conference double header, Western Oregon softball player Sara Tucholsky hit what would have been her first career home run. However, in her excitement, the tiny athlete missed first base and quickly doubled back. Suddenly, one knee gave out, and she found herself crumpled in the dirt. She couldn’t get up. Her injured knee wouldn’t support her.

Umpires confirmed the only option available was to replace Tucholsky at first base with a pinch runner and have the hit recorded as a two-run single rather than a three-run homer. Any assistance from coaches or trainers would result in an out. Her coach prepared to make the substitution, when a star player on the opposing team stepped up to the plate with an unusual suggestion.

“Could we carry her around and let her touch the bases?” Mallory Holtman asked.

Facing knee surgery herself at the end of the season, Holtman knew Tucholsky only as an opponent for the past four years.

Given the OK from stunned officials, Holtman and Central Washington team shortstop Liz Wallace lifted Tucholsky, supported her weight between them and walked the bases, touching her down on each pad.

Despite a valiant fight following their act of ultimate sportsmanship, Holtman, Wallace and their teammates lost to Western Oregon 4-2.

As I watched the two strong competitive players lumber awkwardly as they became a human chair for Tucholsky, I wondered what would happen if each of us made that kind of effort to help someone else score a victory in the game of life.

We’re all engaged in competition, even without realizing it sometimes. In the work place, employees vie for promotions. Family members often jockey for power and control. Even church members become competitive, vying for positions and favor with church leaders.

Jesus underscored the value of cooperation and charity over competition and conflict when He settled a dispute among his disciples. They were trying to decide which of them was the greatest in the Kingdom of God. Like us, they were no doubt shocked when Jesus basically told them the way to be great in His kingdom is to become the servant of others.

Not a doormat, but a human chair, helping an athlete make her first career home run. Working behind the scenes to make a co-worker look good. Doing some of those invisible details so church leaders can work more effectively for the good of the flock.

May we accept the challenge of looking for ways to help carry others to victory. It’s more than an act of ultimate sportsmanship.

It’s the best way to find out what winning at the game of life is really all about.

— E-mail: bdavis

@register-herald.com