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There is a scene in the movie "The Final Season" that ends with the coach saying that baseball is the only game where the object is to get home.
The same can be said for softball.
After covering Barneveld at the WIAA State Tournament in Grand Chute and Highland at the WIAA State Tournament at Goodman Diamond in Madison, that statement played itself out pretty well.
There is something about small towns and their sports teams that bring out the best in everyone.
The colors of the day were purple and gold at Grand Chute. Barneveld fans were vocal and encouraging when the game was going on and they spent time with the players on the walkway afterwards. While the Eagles fell 3-2 to McDonell Central, they were treated like winners by the people who made the journey to show their support.
That's the way it should be.
The same thing happened a couple days later at Madison. While the Goodman field is used to seeing a sea of red in the stands because the UW softball team plays there, I am sure the Highland fans duplicated that and more. Highland fans covered over half the stadium when the Cardinals played McDonell Central and spent their time showing their support.
While the Cardinals lost 3-2, you would never know it by the way the fans acted after the game. They treated the girls like champions.
It was a great two days for me. I got to watch young athletes play their hearts out on the big stage and see their family, friends and fans support them in a positive way.
While those young athletes will no doubt head to parts unknown in their lives they will always return home. Because their home has earned their respect.