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Lawmakers take the field for Congressional Baseball Game
Fans packed Nationals Park Wednesday, but the usual home team never took the field. Instead, Democrats and Republicans squared off in the annual Congressional Baseball Game. FOX 5’s Josh Rosenthal reports on why this was an important event for a couple of different reasons.
WASHINGTON - The GOP wins again. For the third year in a row, Republican lawmakers won the annual Congressional Baseball Game.
They crushed the Dems 16-6 at the charity event that took place Wednesday night at Nationals Park. FOX 5 witnessed the fanfare.
"Look - I’m lucky to be alive," said Congressman Steve Scalise Wednesday as members of Congress warmed up at Nationals Park ahead of the annual Congressional Baseball Game.
It was 2017, when a rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers as they practiced for the charity baseball game. Scalise was critically wounded and aides were also struck. Law enforcement and other congressmen dove for cover.
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Scalise talks Congressional Baseball shooting
Congressman Steve Scalise recalled the events of 2017, when a rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers as they practiced for the Congressional Baseball game.
The assailant, who had nursed grievances against President Donald Trump and the GOP, fought a gun battle with police before he, too, was shot and later died.
"If you look at what happened that day. The gunman shows up wanting to take out all of us on the ball field that morning – and everybody’s alive expect the shooter, God performed miracles that day," Scalise said.
He said the shooting sharpened his focus on his family who was with him every step of the way during his over three-month recovery which required him to learn how to walk again.
Wednesday’s game will feature Democrats and Republicans from the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Money raised from the game benefits local charities in the D.C. area. Scalise said he expects more than 20,000 fans to show up for the game and hopes to raise over $1 million that will benefit dozens of non-profits.
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Dems versus GOP in annual Congressional Baseball Game
Wednesday night marks another chapter of an over 100-year Washington tradition: the Congressional Baseball Game. Republicans and Democrats will square off at Nats Park for a game that’s grown in popularity and importance over the last few years. FOX 5’s David Kaplan is at the ballpark.
Last year Republicans shut out the Democrats 10 to 0. It marked the second victory in a row for the Republicans who won 13 to 12 the year before.
The classic game was first played in 1909. Republicans hold the advantage over Democrats with a 44-42-1 record.
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Rep. Williams talks Congressional Baseball Game
Congressman Roger Williams warms up and talks about the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park.
Congressional Baseball Game: Republicans shut out Democrats; protesters arrested outside stadium
Members of Congress put aside their differences Thursday night and hit the field at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. for the annual Congressional Baseball Game.