Career
In 2008, her senior year, she was the starting right fielder on the school"s softball team On Saturday, April 26, 2008 her team was playing a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game against Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, United States of America. In the second inning of the game a widely admired display of sportsmanship took place. Tucholsky hit a three-run home run, the first in her college career, but injured her knee while going back to tag first base after she realized that she did not touch the bag.
As per the official rules, none of Tucholsky"s teammates could assist her in running the bases.
In addition, as per the rules stated by the game"s umpires, Tucholsky"s hit would only count as a two-run single if she were replaced by a pinch runner. (A story of the occurrence on ESPNcom later revealed that the game umpires misinterpreted rule 8532 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association softball rule book, which states, "If an injury to a batter-runner or runner prevents her from proceeding to an awarded base, the ball is dead and the substitution can be made The substitute must legally touch all awarded or missed bases not previously touched")
Mallory Holtman, the first baseman for Central Washington, then asked the umpires if she could assist Tucholsky to home plate.
After a brief discussion the umpires decided it would be acceptable. So Holtman and Liz Wallace carried Tucholsky to home plate, gently dropping her legs at each base they passed.
All three players received a standing ovation at home plate.
In the weeks following the initial Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.com reports, Tucholsky, often with Holtman and Wallace, appeared on Inside Edition, The Early Show, Entertainment and Sports Programming Network First Take, Sports Center, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. John McCutcheon wrote and performs a song, Sara Tucholsky, about this event.
