From ShortNews:

Softball Fans Stunned by ‘Unbelievable’ Act of Sportsmanship

When Sarah Tucholsky, a player for Western Oregon with a .153 lifetime batting average, hit her first-ever home run, her team looked to be one step closer to its first appearance in the NCAA playoffs. Then, while rounding first, she tore a ligament in one knee and was unable to walk. Under the rules, that she hit the ball out of the park is irrelevant, and she would be have been credited with a single, if opposing first baseman Mallory Holtman, who’s also the NCAA’s all-time home run leader, stepped in and asked the umpires if she could help Tucholsky complete her run?

When told she could, Holtman and teammate Liz Wallace picked up Tucholsky and carried round each base, giggling all the way. As Tucholsky touched home, they saw fans weeping and cheering. Tucholsky’s team went on to win, 4-2. With three of W. Oregon’s points coming off Tucholsky’s ‘run’.

(Source: http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=70510)

Now with video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVlKtI7yd_s

Ah that’s nice.

Well, so much news is either sickos or schadenfreude, I though we could have a nice story for a change.

But don’t worry, I’m sure someone, somewhere in the world is spit-roasting live kittens in the name of performance art as we speak.

Saw this on SportsCenter (ESPN) last week.  Good story.

Here’s another sad, but touching sports story:

Hornets’ Paul inspired by death of 8-year-old fan

SAN ANTONIO — All-NBA first team guard Chris Paul played Game 3 with shoes bearing a tribute to an 8-year-old boy who died of cancer this week.
Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman said the boy’s name was Brian. The team did not disclose his last name to protect the family’s privacy.

According to a New Orleans Times-Picayune story, “Brian told his family that he knew he was going to heaven and that he wanted to meet Jesus wearing his Chris Paul jersey.“

The Hornets, who learned of Brian’s condition shortly before Game 2 of this series, worked through A Child’s Wish of Greater New Orleans to give Brian playoff tickets so he could watch Paul, his favorite player.

But Brian, who had a brain tumor, developed a high fever before Game 2 and was unable to attend.

He died hours later.

According to Kaufman, Hornets owner George Shinn offered to help pay for the family’s funeral costs. The family appreciated the gesture but declined.

Although Paul never got to meet Brian, the news of his death touched him deeply.

“I was speechless,“ Paul said before Game 3 Thursday night. “Even now, it’s something that words can’t describe. This is probably one of the most humbling experiences of my life.

“Knowing I can represent Brian and his family in some way tonight is a great feeling on behalf of myself, my teammates and the organization. This is a person I want to go out and represent with my play.“

Hornets coach Byron Scott said Paul is “hurting inside because he didn’t get the chance to meet a kid who idolized him. The story really does bring tears to your eyes. Here’s a young kid who never got a chance to live his life.

“I’ll expect (Paul) to come out here with a heavy heart but I expect him to play extremely hard because he’s honoring the young man.“

Not quite the same, but definitely worth a mention.