WASHINGTON (Michigan News Source) – In a possible foreshadowing of things to come in November, the GOP members of
Congress soundly defeated the democrats in the annual Congressional Baseball Game held at the Nationals Park field where the Washington Nationals play.

The bipartisan game has been played since 1909 and is a charity event. 17,000 tickets were sold and there were more than 80 sponsors. This year’s game raised $1.7 million for more than 35 DC area charities including The Washington Literacy Center, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Washington Nationals Philanthropies and the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund.

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The game was hot from the beginning with the temperature hitting 95 degrees. The Republicans were hot as well, scoring three runs in the first inning with the help of stealing multiple bases.

House Minority Whip and US REP Steve Scalise (R-LA), who was almost killed five years ago when he was shot at while practicing for this game, was the leadoff batter. Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI) was third base coach while U.S. Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) was chosen as MVP.

As pitcher, Pfluger was able to stop the democrats from scoring any runs near the end of the game when the democrats had the bases loaded and no outs. Pfluger has previously played Division I baseball for the Air Force Academy.

Climate change protesters didn’t dampen the spirits of the players or the fans but the rain did for a brief time.
Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was there as coach for the democrat team and U.S. REP Kevin Brady (R-TX) was there for his 25th and last game, as he will be retiring in six months. A former draft pick of the Atlanta Braves in the early ’70’s, Brady was manager of the republican team on Thursday night.

He told Roll Call “During the game, you feel like you’re 18 years old – you’re playing in a major league field in front of thousands of people. The next morning you feel 118 because everything in your body is sore.”

The game was a friendly one except when U.S. REP Linda Sanchez (D-CA) flipped the bird as she ran by the GOP dugout after being replaced by a pinch runner. There were several other women playing in the game and they will also be having their own softball game later in the year against members of the press corps.

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After the win, the GOP tweeted, “This shutout at the Congressional Baseball Game is only a preview of what’s coming in November!”