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I absolutely love these billboards, they are so inspiring. I especially love the one on sportsmanship. As a softball player myself, I can relate to how much each team had at stake and it gives me chills to think of all that those girls sacrificed.
Posted 25 days ago by Kaity, U from Las Vegas, Nevada

As a coach and official, I saw the billboard in Kansas City. It took me several months to remember the Values.com site and to look it up. Great sportsmanship ladies. I try and teach sportsmanship first, give me 110 percent and do the best you can, but above all have fun. You three can play for me anytime. THANKS
Posted 26 days ago by Larry B. from Nebraska City, NE

I am 58 years old. After reading this I cried and thanked God. These young women will be taking over where we left off.
Posted about 1 month ago by John M. from Huntsville,Texas

That's amazing what Mallory and her teammate did for Sara. Those two girls are amazing.
Posted 2 months ago by Tiffany S. from Indianapolis, Indiana

This is a wonderful story
Posted 3 months ago by Renee L. from Alabama

Shelly, I can ask Sara to send you one if you wish. You can e-mail me at nfcmiket@aol.com. Please note poster in subject line. Sara's dad.
Posted 3 months ago by Mike T. from Forest Grove, Oregon

I want to purchase a poster of this photo. Does anyone know where I can order it from?
Posted 3 months ago by Shelley O from Peoria

That is a true winner.
Posted 4 months ago by Kelly, F from Michigan

This is such a heart warming story
Posted 4 months ago by MacKenzie D. from IN

What a testimony. My daughter was so moved by that. She also plays softball and every time we see the billboard she sheds a tear..
Posted 5 months ago by Elsa J. from Houston, TX

Our pastor talked about this story in church a few weeks ago..soon after, I passed by the billboard myself as I rode on the bus. It made me teary eyed...these girls made the most of the opportunity given them and everyone was blessed by that. Would that we all can be that way too.
Posted 5 months ago by Meghan H. from Seattle, WA

This is such a great representation of what true sportsmanship is all about. What a great example for the youth of America.
Posted 6 months ago by Devin S. from Madison High School Adrian, Michigan

Really an amazing story...Mallory and Liz are the real winners.
Posted 6 months ago by Lyn Q. from Philippines

I'm proud of those two girls. Unselfish acts like that are so rarely seen today. Mallory and Liz may Bless you.
Posted 7 months ago by Chris S. from LA

I am proud to say that I am Central Washington University alumni. This made me even more proud to be a wildcat! :)
Posted 8 months ago by Jill C. from Seattle, Wa

I love all the billboards but this is my favorite, I saw it again today and the story is definitely true sportsmanship and should but told to every child and athlete. there is a spot in my heart for those girls and how much they care!
Posted 8 months ago by M.C. from Massachusetts

I saw this story on ESPN and nearly brought me to tears. The sportsmanship shown here is a total antithesis to almost 100% of today's athletes. I wish all the best for the all the girls of the Central Washington team. The girls who showed us true sportsmanship, and how the game should be played.
Posted 8 months ago by Chris W. from Mississippi

This is my favorite billboard--I knew that would be the story just from driving by the photo. Let this be a pennant for all of us--this is the way we should win the game.
Posted 8 months ago by Kristen H. from Georgia

What touches me most is the example it shows that we can all make the effort in everyday life with one another. We need to be a nation who reaches out for each other and helps to "round the bases." Bravo to these young women for being bigger than most of us. It sure is going to change how I live my everyday life! Bless them!
Posted 8 months ago by Diane K. from Lincoln, NE

This is a story that needs to be told over and over again to our young people, especially those participating in team sports.
Posted 8 months ago by Linda C. from Ocoee, FL

I was very familiar with this story as I am a softball fan. I found this billboard a very fitting tribute to these players who's selflessness led to what may very well be the single greatest act of good sportsmanship.....ever!
Posted 8 months ago by Bill Y. from Little Hocking, OH

Through one simple action Liz and Mallory proved they will be winners throughout life. In a word CLASS.
Posted 9 months ago by James S. from Chandler, IN

I'm so glad this has become a billboard... What a testimony to true sportsmanship!
Posted 9 months ago by CMW from Florida

I'm not a sap but this story makes me tear up every time I read it or even just see the billboard. It is moving.
Posted 9 months ago by Cristy D. from NJ

Brought tears to my eyes.
Posted 9 months ago by Cathy T. from Houston

Amazing.. I don't think there will ever be an act of sportsmanship of this magnitude. Simply awesome!!
Posted 9 months ago by Ray B. from Lincoln, NE

This story really touched my heart as it has for so very many. I have a friend who played basketball at Central Washington under the same coach. I live in Lincoln, NE and when I saw this billboard today, I just couldn't believe it.... Imagine this billboard being in Lincoln,NE..WOW !
PS : I am an avid Creighton Bluejay softball fan, so you can imagine how this story touched my heart... There will never be another story like this one....
Posted 9 months ago by Ray B. from Lincoln, NE

I visited Central Washington a couple of years ago and the people were so friendly! Guess I am not the only one who thought so - what a class act!
Posted 9 months ago by Brad W. from San Francisco, CA

That is really cool! I don't know of anybody who would help another player if they were going to lose! That is how all sports should be played with good sportsmanship and hard work! Good job ladies wait to be good sports!
Posted 10 months ago by Trevor G. from Brookings,OR

That's an amazing show of sportsmanship! I don't even know if I would do that if I was going to lose. Great job Mallory and Liz!
Posted 10 months ago by Thomas S. from Brookings, OR

This really makes me think that we are all winners.
Posted 10 months ago by Claxton Z. from Sparta, MI

In the big picture of life, we are all on the same team. Its an act like this that should remind us all of that.

Posted 10 months ago by Jerry L. from Michigan

Has anyone seen this up anywhere? :)
Posted 10 months ago by Ann T. from Oregon

It is great to see young people still have integrity and values that supersede the worldly attitude of "must win no matter what the cost."
Posted 10 months ago by Chris T. from North Ogden, Utah

It's really heartening to know that there are still athletes who understand the true meaning of sportsmanship. You rock, ladies!!
Posted 10 months ago by Linda W. from Oregon

I worked at McDonald's in high school and in the summer different stores used to play each other in softball. I was so terrible (and yet so enthusiastic) that a manager from the other team helped me swing the bat, the pitcher threw it to me nicely, and two people on the other team "accidentally" dropped the ball.

I am many things, "proud" and "coordinated" are not on the list.

Posted 10 months ago by Bridgette G. from Indiana

Love of the game and each other overcame the love of winning!!
Posted 10 months ago by John W. from Hayden, Idaho

Imagine that, the real wins don't show on the scoreboard!
Posted 10 months ago by George B. from Quakertown, PA

Respect for your opponent is respect for the game and respect for yourself. Everyone wins.
Posted 10 months ago by Dale G. from Canada

What an amazing story! As a coach, I can only hope my students would have the same integrity! What an awesome story!
Posted 11 months ago by Kari S. from Centura, NE

This story really hit me hard!
Posted 11 months ago by Connor B. from Canada

I would love to forward this link to my Little League Softball team!
Posted 11 months ago by JoAnn G. from California

THAT IS REALLY GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP!
Posted 11 months ago by MATT Q. from CANADA

Having coached fast pitch women's softball for a number of years, this is not surprising.....it puts a lump in my throat still!
Posted 11 months ago by Steve C. from PA

That is such a good story. I love it.
Posted 11 months ago by James G. from Canada

Totally awesome DUDE!
Posted 11 months ago by from

What leadership!
Posted 11 months ago by from Jamacia

Sportsmanship

About This Billboard

Though Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky often dreamt of what it would be like to hit her first home run, she never imagined it would end with the opposing team carrying her around the bases. In fact, her home run almost didn’t become a reality, except for the sportsmanship of Central Washington players Mallory Holtman and Liz Wallace.

Sara’s home run came in the second inning of the second game of a double header between the two teams. At stake that weekend was a bid to the NCAA’s Division II playoffs. Central Washington needed to win the second game to keep its postseason dreams alive.

When Sara hit the home run, there was a girl on second and third, both of whom ran to home in a celebratory fashion. Sara, in her excitement, over-ran first base. When she turned quickly to go back, her right knee gave out. Sara went down in agony just a few feet from first base.

Sara was clearly injured and unable to walk on her own. Her coaches and teammates were trying to decide what to do—if the Western Oregon trainers, coaches, or teammates touched Sara or helped her up, she would be out. If they substituted in a pinch-runner for Sara, her home run would be counted as a two-run single.

Central Washington player Mallory Holtman was also a senior. After four years, she knew the rules of the game and quickly realized that for Sara’s home run to count Central was going to have to help.

Mallory ran over to the umpires and to Western’s coach. “Excuse me,” Mallory interrupted, “would it be OK if we carried her around and she touched each bag?”

Though surprised, they said yes. Mallory and teammate Liz Wallace promptly picked Sara up, gingerly letting her left foot down to touch each of the bases to get her home run.

This act of sportsmanship contributed to Central’s loss. Still, there were no regrets or angry words from Mallory’s teammates. They all agreed—helping the opponent was simply the right thing to do.