Home Run

“…And the greatest of these is love.”
-St. Paul of Tarsus


Central Washington University was squaring off against Western Oregon University in a battle for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference women’s softball championship. Not exactly the Yankees vs. the Red Sox. But what transpired in that game would be nearly impossible to match in New York, or Boston, or Timbuktu for that matter.

Sara Tucholsky, the scrappy 5’2” Western Oregon reserve right-fielder, hit a three run home run in the second inning. Because this was the very first one of her collegiate career, she was shocked at the improbable blast. And perhaps this was the reason she missed stepping on first as she joyfully headed around the bases. Turning to go back and touch the bag, Sara tore her ACL and crumpled to the ground in agony. As she lay at first base, her coach called out to the umpire for some guidance. What now? Sara obviously couldn’t finish her homerun trot. She couldn’t even walk. The umpire explained that Sara had to touch all four bases, or else settle for a single. Further, her teammates were not allowed to aid her in any way. It appeared she was on her own.

It was then that Central Washington’s first baseman, Mallory Holtman (who just happened to be the all-time conference home run leader) asked if her team could help Sara. The umpire was understandably dumbfounded. According to the rules, however, the opposing team was in fact allowed to help an opposing player on the bases. So, permission was granted. With that, Mallory asked Sara if she needed a lift.

You just can’t make this stuff up.

Holtman and another infielder picked up Tucholsky and literally carried her to second base, where she gingerly stepped on the bag, then on to third, and finally home plate. As the three athletes made their way around the bases, the crowd rose in a standing ovation. "Touch ‘em all" has never been a more accurate description of a home run.

And Shakespeare himself couldn’t have expressed the virtue of love any more beautifully.

Love is the greatest of all the virtues. It is why human beings were created, and what we should live to be and do. But what is it? After all the philosophizing and soliloquizing, what is love?

Aristotle said that love is, quite simply, wanting someone’s good and acting accordingly. It is essentially about the will, not about strong emotions or deep thoughts. Feelings and thoughts may follow love, but they are not love. You see what should be done, you get outside of yourself for a brief moment, and you freely and generously choose to act for the good of another…without any expectation of payback or acclaim.

Not too complicated…but profound beyond words.

And in an increasingly angry, hurting, confused world, those who seem to be opponents, competitors, and rivals, can suddenly find themselves on the same team.

And for a brief, shining moment everyone wins.

Question for reflection: Who is the greatest example of love for you?