In a world where winning is often the ultimate goal, a heartwarming story from a softball game in Florida is a reminder that sportsmanship and compassion are just as important.
During a game between Southeastern University and Grand View University, an injury left Grand View catcher Kaitlyn Moses unable to make it around the bases.
Despite the rules prohibiting her own teammates from touching her, two Southeastern players, Leah Gonzalez and Chapel Cunningham, stepped in to help.
“Me and Chapel were like, ‘Girl, don’t you worry. You deserved that. You hit the ball, injuries happen. We’re here for you,’” Gonzalez said, according to WKRN.
They lifted Moses up and carried her across three bases, tapping her foot on each one to ensure that the runs counted. This act of kindness may have cost Southeastern the win, but to them, it was the right thing to do.
“I just knew it was the right thing to do,” Cunningham said. “Here at Southeastern they teach us, or especially on our team, they try to tell us to do the thing that ought to be done and I knew that that was what we should do, so we didn’t really think twice.”
Their actions did not go unnoticed. Grand View Softball Coach Lou Yacinich praised the Southeastern players for their sportsmanship, calling it a display of character, humanity, and greater purpose.
“The display of sportsmanship by the Southeastern University Softball team speaks volumes to their character, humanity, and greater purpose,” Yacinich said. “The result of their actions caused their team in the game to trail by one run, yet that was of minimal concern to those players in that moment.”
This moment is a testament to the values taught by Southeastern University’s softball program. Coach Kayla Watkins said she was not surprised by her players’ actions, as they embody the ideals of the program every day.
“I get feedback on campus all the time about our girls and how they do things. So for me as a coach, it was just kind of cool because I know that about them. But for others to get to see that in them is kind of cool,” Watkins said.