It's 11:30 at night. I'm watching the College Softball World Series mostly because its the only thing on. Certainly not expecting life lessons. Bottom of the fourth inning in an elimination game in the double-elimination tournament, bases loaded, two outs, Alabama is down two runs to Arizona. Coming up to bat for the Crimson Tide was Brittany Rogers, a four-time All-American lead-off hitter. What an ending to her career it could be to drive in a few runs, give your team the lead, and hang on to make it to the semi-finals of the NCAA tournament.
But then the coach called her back to the dugout. No, it wasn't for a last minute scouting report. Or even a last "good luck" or "go get 'em." It was to send in a pinch hitter. Not just any pinch hitter, a FRESHMAN. This is something that happens in "Angels in the Outfield," not the College World Series.
But unlike Angels in the Outfield, or Terrell Owens, or any other All-Star, Rogers didn't pout. She didn't yell at her coach. She didn't leave the dugout and demand a trade. She went right to the end of the dugout closest to home plate and started cheering - and cheering loudly. When the freshman went down 1-2 in the count, she kept cheering. And when the ball left the bat on its way to the left field, she sprinted out of the dugout to home plate to wait for her replacement to finish her home run trot (complete with chest bumps for the first and third base coaches) so she could congratulate her.
I know assists are not an official batting stat in softball, but chalk one up for Brittany Rogers. Congrats to the freshman for her grand slam, but helmets off to Rogers for her support and sportsmanship. If only the "professionals" would take a hint.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment