Graceful player

Mo’ne Davis is widely known as the 13-year-old “heroine” of the Little League World Series, among other glowing nouns and adjectives. Yet after she publicly forgave a vulgar critic, her admirers can add “gracious” to the list.

Behind the first-ever win and shutout from a girl, Davis pitched Pennsylvania’s Taney Dragons deep into the August tournament. Davis, who hopes to play WNBA basketball, found herself on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Her memoir, Mo’ne Davis: Remember My Name, went on sale March 17, not long before Disney announced plans for a movie, Throw like Mo.

With the movie news, Bloomsburg University first baseman Joey Casselberry tweeted his scorn, passively referring to the “slut” who lost to Little League national champion Nevada. The Pennsylvania college immediately kicked him off the team, but Davis soon revealed on ESPN that she had emailed the school asking officials there to reinstate Casselberry.

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Davis said.

Jimmy Kimmel popularized skits with celebrities reading “mean tweets” about themselves to make the point that behind hashtags exist real persons. But where Kimmel segments can carry a satirical and cliched “sticks-and-stones” vibe, Davis brought one of understanding and sympathy. “It hurt on my part, but he hurt even more. If it was me, I would want to take that back,” Davis said. “I know how hard he’s worked. Why not give him a second chance?”

The university thanked Davis for her maturity but said it’s standing by its decision as Casselberry’s expulsion goes through routine reviews. But while her request went respectfully unheeded, it continues to prompt conversation, if not even change.

CNN columnist Roxanne Jones remembered how pervasive sexualized street synonyms are in some neighborhoods, where passive usage by even parents affects the character formation of young women. Calling out the culture, she said Davis stands out in rising above the noise.

“I know he didn’t mean it in that type of way,” Davis said. “I know people get tired of seeing me on TV. But sometimes you got to think about what you’re doing before you do it.” Culture does matter, as Davis herself implied. But as Davis taught ESPN viewers, while discipline is necessary in a healthy culture, grace can be good too.

Olympic decision

The Boston 2024 Olympic committee on March 24 proposed a statewide referendum on whether to drop its Olympic bid.

Organizers have seen local support plummet since January, when the U.S. Olympic Committee selected Boston. In March polls, half of Bostonians opposed the Olympics outright, while 65 percent disbelieved the committee’s pledge not to use taxpayer money. The vote would occur in November 2016, providing presidential voter turnout and ample time to work out the legalese of holding a referendum that affects no laws. In the meantime, Boston 2024 will woo New Englanders. —A.B.

Flag on the play

The New England Patriots’ deceitful formations are now illegal, according to rule changes announced in March owners’ meetings. By rule, only certain players may run down-field and catch balls, traditionally indicated by jersey number. But the Super Bowl champions would fiddle with formations, reporting some eligible-numbered players as ineligible, leading opponents to guard those who legally couldn’t touch the ball. The ploy led to a playoff touchdown against Baltimore in a game decided by four points. Such sleights of hand could cause a 5-yard penalty this fall. —A.B.