Republicans Win Third Straight Congressional Baseball Game for Charity

WASHINGTON — Democrats and Republicans set their differences aside Wednesday night to enjoy a game of America’s pastime.

The 88th Congressional Baseball Game, won by the Republicans 16-6 in their third straight victory, raised over $1.8 million for various charities.

Charities include the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the Washington Literacy Center and the Washington Nationals Philanthropies along with the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund.

Started in 1909, the series has evolved and been popularized by its integration into the Congressional Sports for Charity foundation in 2016. 

At the end of the night, Republicans were presented with the Roll Call trophy, an honor awarded to the team that has won three of the five past games. Republicans won 13-12 in 2021 and 10-0 in 2022.

The Democrats wore a variety of baseball jerseys — from collegiate to high school to pro-level — from their hometowns. The Republicans sported matching red tops featuring the party emblem and white-striped pants.

Democrats were first up and looked to have a promising game. Although ending the inning scoreless, the team got a couple on base but couldn’t capitalize after stealing second and third.

The Republicans put points on the board immediately, loading the bases and bringing two home in the bottom of the inning.

The Democrats got it started in the second with a nice hit from Rep. Jeff Jackson, D-N.C., squeezing it past the outfielder, stealing third immediately after, and running it in off a hit from Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz. Democrats closed the gap 4-1.

The Republicans held a controversial and erroneous bottom of the second. A controversial safe call on first allowed them to load the bases again, but the Democrats got a double play on what should’ve been a sac fly and the Republicans ended the inning scoreless.

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., had an unfortunate pitching session in the top of the third, plunking Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., who eventually walked around for a run. Deluzio marked the sole run for the Democrats, ending the inning down 4-2.

Showing no mercy, the Republicans ran up the score in the bottom of the third with seven runs, loading the bases repeatedly throughout the inning. Republicans highlighted the period with a triple from Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and a ground rule double on a hit from Steube.

Although the fourth was a mostly quiet inning with zero scoring, Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., hobbled off second base holding his hamstring. The Well News has reached out to his office for comment on the potential injury.

The Democrats tacked on three more runs in the top of the fifth, but the Republicans quickly responded with three of their own. The Democrats still had nine runs to make up, down 14-5.

Another injury occurred before the Republicans scored in the bottom of the fifth as Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, limped off first base. The Well News has reached out to his office for comment on the potential injury.

Following a fruitless top of the sixth, the Republicans added two more runs to its lead in the bottom, bringing the score to 16-5.

The Democrats had one more chance to bring it back in the seventh but were only able to close the gap by one more run. The Republicans won for the third straight year with a decisive 16-6 victory.

Both teams rampantly stole bases, a product of slower throws and catching on the large pro field. No outs were recorded as a result of stolen base attempts.

The event saw a crowd of 26,663, breaking the previous 24,959 record in 2017. Republicans now lead the series 45-52-1.

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