WASHINGTON, DC – For more than 100 years, the Congressional Baseball Game has been a trademark for both Democrats and Republicans in setting aside political differences and taking part in a tradition destined for unity.
Just a day before the game was to be held at Nationals Park, a gunman -- now identified as James T. Hodgkinson -- opened fire on Republican lawmakers and staff who were practicing at a baseball field Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia.
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House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan, of Wisconsin, addressed the House in the wake of Wednesday’s shooting announcing the game will go on as scheduled and sharing, “An attack on one of us is an attack on all us.”
Here’s what you need to know about the Congressional Baseball Game
1) History of Congressional Baseball Game
According to the game’s official website, the showdown between the two parties dates back when Rep. John Tener of Pennsylvania, a former professional baseball player, organized the inaugural baseball game in 1909.
#TBT: Rep Merritt practices pitches for the #CongressionalBaseballGame that pitted Congress vs the press #OTD 1935. https://t.co/cuoyXfVE5x pic.twitter.com/cZDw4G27ud
— U.S. House History (@USHouseHistory) May 25, 2017
Despite the baseball game’s popularity over the decades by even garnering radio broadcast and sponsorship, Speaker Same Rayburn of Texas discontinued it in 1958 because the match became “too physical.” However, Speaker John McCormack, of Massachusetts, revived the event in 1962 and has been an annual tradition for the two parties.
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2) The annual event contributes to three DC area charities
What began as a game between colleagues, the Congressional Baseball Game has since evolved into raising millions of dollars for local charities in the Washington, D.C., area such as: The Washington Literacy Center, The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. According to CNN, the event has raised more than $600,000 in recent years for charity.
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3) The baseball game is held annually at Nationals Park
It's a beautiful day at @Nationals Park! Get your tickets for #CBG17 at https://t.co/srhs3auZcO. 6/15/17 pic.twitter.com/trciKExGB2
— Congressional Game (@thehillbaseball) May 31, 2017
Since 2008, the event has been held at Nationals Park where Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals currently play. According to CNN, the game was played at Prince George Stadium -- home to minor league baseball team Bowie Baysock -- in the early 2000s. Due to growing popularity, the game was moved to Robert F. Kennedy stadium -- also known as RFK Stadium -- for a brief period in the 2000s until its current stay at Nationals Park.
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4) Republicans broke Democrats seven-game streak in 2016’s game
With the record currently tied at 39-39-1 for both parties, the Republicans were looking to start a winning streak after breaking the Democrats seven-game stretch last year, defeating the party 8-7.
Reliving our vibrant youth at Congressional baseball game practice. 7am. pic.twitter.com/wTU3AEJo0e
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 7, 2017
Because of the competitive nature between the two parties, practices were squeezed in early mornings before legislative sessions are held during the day. "There's not much scheduling going on up here at 6:30 in the morning, so in terms of practice, there's no excuses," Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall, a Republican, told Roll Call in a preview piece on the game.
5) The Congressional Baseball Game has 60 representatives on roster for both parties
According to the game’s official website, 34 Republicans and 26 Democrats were on the roster for this year’s event. Among the 60 Representatives who were set to play in Thursday night’s matchup, five of them are from Texas with Rep. Joe L. Barton leading the Republicans as the team’s manager.
Republicans and Democrats have been busy practicing for Thursday's Congressional Baseball Game https://t.co/E2KNIAh9sg pic.twitter.com/bnKtNvDW8N
— Roll Call (@rollcall) June 14, 2017
The other four were Democrat Rep. Marc Veasey and Republicans Reps. Kevin Brady, Mike Conaway, and Roger Williams. It is uncertain if all 34 Republicans were present when Hodgkinson opened fire during Wednesday’s baseball practice, wounding top House Republican Steve Scalise of Louisiana and 4 others.
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6) The charity event is scheduled to go on despite shooting
In a tweet shared on Representative Eric Swalwell’s Twitter account, the California Democrat said, “The #congressionalbaseballgame is on. We will play for charity, but also for the victims & the heroic officers who took down the shooter.”
The Congressional Baseball Game for Charity will go on as scheduled!
Posted by The Congressional Baseball Game for Charity on Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Shortly after the shooting, Ryan talked the importance of unity to his colleagues on the House Floor and even jokingly shared Scalise’s dedication for the charity even. “Knowing Steve Scalise, we all do, he’s likely really frustrated that he’s not going to be able to play in the baseball game,” Ryan said.
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In its 56th year, the Congressional Baseball Game is set for Thursday at Nationals Park with the first pitch to be thrown at 7:05 p.m. ET.
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