More Than a Game
On Wednesday, April 27, the city of Tuscaloosa was devastated by an EF4 tornado. Over 200 people were killed and countless homes were damaged or destroyed. Now, one of the most sports-oriented cities in the country is looking for hope, and the University of Alabama Softball team is looking to provide the first dose of that.
For the first time in six tries, the Alabama softball team is finally in the winner's bracket of the Women's College World Series. Depending on who wins today, they will face either Florida or California tomorrow (to the best of my understanding anyway). They beat Cal two days ago in the first round of the WCWS, and beat Florida once out of three times in regular season conference play in a series at Gainesville. Alabama needs just one win to advance to the title series, while their opponent will need to beat Bama twice. Odds seem to be in favor of Alabama advancing to the title game. Arizona State will be the most likely opponent at that point.
This would be the best possible time for them to win it all. Some of these girls no doubt had family or friends affected by the tornadoes that horrible night, but all of them had fans that were affected. Alabama's Softball team is the most supported in the country, and now they need to do their best to support the community back. It's going to be difficult,but they can do it.
Not only can the softball girls do it, but so can the football team, which everyone knows is the biggest deal in Tucaloosa. Although a softball championship would bring a small glimpse of joy to the city, nothing would affect it so well as a BCS National Championship team. The beauty is, Alabama has the team to do that, now with the inspiration to fight harder for it. Much like the Saints Super Bowl victory fopr New Orleans, I believe the Crimson Tide could provide a championship for Tuscaloosa. It is very likely.
In fact, this could be one of the most prolific sports years in NCAA history if said softball and football championships were won by the Tide. Including the Gymnastics title won just weeks before the tornado, it would make three different sports titles in a one year span. The basketball team finished runner-up for the NIT this year, and despite losing three players with significant playing time, I think Alabama basketball will improve next year and make it to the tournament. I'm not going to be unrealistic and say the Tide will win that tournament, but they can at least make a few rounds.
Hopefully, all this winning and rejoicing will help the citizens of Tuscaloosa to get away from their troubles and pain, if just for a little while. I know that is what all the players are playing for right now.
In a somewhat unrelated thought, I would like to give out my condolences to the family and friends of Carson Tinker's girlfriend, and to the family and friends of Aaron Douglas, as well as to the people of Tuscaloosa as a whole. I am praying for you all. If anybody reading this can donate anything to Tuscaloosa, I am sure they would appreciate it. Prayers help too. God bless.
