Democrats Knock Republicans Out of the Park at Annual Charity Baseball Game

WASHINGTON – Wednesday night the Democrats took the upper hand over Republicans 14-7 at the annual Congressional baseball game for charity.

The game was an opportunity for spry members of Congress to show their innate athleticism, proving there is nothing more enjoyable than mediocre baseball.

The game raised about $1.3 million for local DC youth programs and for the Capitol Police Memorial Fund. The fund honors the officers that responded to the 2017 shooting at the Republican practice for the game.

The players entered the field at Nationals Park to raucous cheers from their fans, many of whom waved signs and sported partisan red or blue garb. 

As for the teams themselves, the Republicans dressed in matching red uniforms, with an occasional MAGA hat lending a player a dash of individual style. The Democrats, by comparison, were all about a more individualistic approach, with several players giving a nod to the hometowns with their jersey selections. 

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., received a warm welcome from both sides when he jogged to the plate to lead off for the Republicans in the first inning. Scalise was critically injured two summers ago when a gunman opened fire on the Republican practice. This was his first return to bat.

The Republicans started out strong, but the Democrats quickly rallied, and Wednesday night’s victory was the party’s 10 victory in the past 11 summer classics.

Representative Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., was a real standout, sending a few shots far into the outfield that left the Republicans scrambling. Texas Representative Kevin Brady was another star of the game, at one point easily shaking off a ball that was batted into his chest to put on a clinic in hitting and base running. 

But the players from Capitol Hill weren’t the only stars to inspire applause.

The first game ball was delivered to the mound by one of the Budweiser Clydesdales. 

Army veteran D.C. Washington sang a rousing rendition of the national anthem to start the game, and Big Kenny from Big and Rich led the 7th inning stretch singing of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

But if there was a true showstopper among the “other performers” at the game it was the Purina pet food company’s Incredible Dog Team.

The dogs performed frisbee and high jump tricks to the acclaim and encouragement of the crowd. Only one the poodle was caught laying down on the job. He’d had enough of all the hot air on the field for one night.