Time is Now

It is nebulous. But we know it when we see it. Good sportsmanship. Class. It starts and ends with respect. For your opponent, for your team and for yourself. Our humble arena of sports is but a microcosm of life's larger real-world and its myriad lessons, challenges, rewards and opportunities. When you lose, accept it, investigate the causes, take the necessary steps to improve and then replay. AND BE SURE TO THANK YOUR OPPONENT FOR EXPOSING YOUR WEAKNESSES AND SHOWING THEM TO YOU. Sometimes a good spanking is the only way this gets done. It can be a pivotal moment in one's career. There are no excuses. It won't help to concoct one, that is denial. Do not miss this opportunity for growth. Do not project your fear and weakness upon your opponent by diminishing her victory. When you get your clock cleaned, thank the cleaner. Your clock should now run a little smoother, giving you an accurate reading as to time of day, the preciousness and value of every second. And through adversity and defeat we learn that the time for improvement is always now. The opportunity to do the right thing is always here. There is nothing nebulous about it. It is crystal clear.

The following story from lotusgeek.com illustrates:

With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence.

But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.

She crawled back to first but could do no more. The first-base coach said she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. Or, the umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would count as a single.

Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count - an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky.

The umpire said there was no rule against it.

So Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace put their arms under Tucholsky's legs, and she put her arms over their shoulders. The three headed around the base paths, stopping to let Tucholsky touch each base with her good leg.

With so many athletes having a "me first" attitude, there really aren't many great role models left. These girls are the very definition of good sportsmanship and good role models.

Congratulations to my Duck friends. You have a fine team and thoroughly cleaned our clock last night. Speed can be taught, strength can be applied. Talent can be recruited and facilities improved. Time for all of the above is now.

We'll be back.