OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Dec. 1, 2010

The beauty of sportsmanship is that it can be practiced on any scale – from international goodwill to a simple handshake or “Hello” at a local league game.

The principle never changes.

It stands for all that is good in the sport: passionate competition played with good humor and good fellowship. That is the formula for good sportsmanship.

This year the Sportsmanship Award went to the New Mexico High Desert Roadrunners, who showed good sportsmanship when both winning and losing.

The beauty of good sportsmanship is that it incites a love of the game for all who witness it.

But it can accomplish much more.

Those senior players and their families who went on the International Tour to Cuba were part of display of sportsmanship on a larger stage.

It was truly moving to see the raw power of sportsmanship break down all barriers between the Cuban players and softball officials and the Senior USA teams. And we found the natural extension of sportsmanship was friendship.

If there is hope for the future – and we believe there is a great deal of hope – it comes with the practice of true sportsmanship on and off the field.