Republicans, Dems Both Playing for ‘Team Scalise' at Congressional Baseball Game
Scalise remains in critical condition, but has improved, MedStar Washington Hospital said in an update Thursday night
By Allison Pecorin and NBC Washington staff ••
Thousands poured into Nationals Park for the annual Congressional Baseball Game a day after a gunman opened fire on a practice game for the event. News4’s Shomari Stone spoke with people who came out to support the lawmakers.
Republicans and Democrats put aside their differences to root for "Team Scalise" during the Congressional Baseball Game this year.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the Republican and Democratic congressional baseball teams stand at attention during the playing of the national anthem before the start of the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the Republican and Democratic congressional baseball teams gather for a moment of silence before the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the Republican and Democratic congressional baseball teams stand at attention during the playing of the national anthem before the start of the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the Republican and Democratic congressional baseball teams gather for a moment of silence before the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the Republican and Democratic congressional baseball teams gather for a bipartisan prayer before the start of the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Signs supporting wounded Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) are seen in the stands before the start of the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. Scalise and 4 others were wounded during a shooting yesterday morning at a practice for tonight's game.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Rep. Roger Wiliams (R-TX) greets fellow members of congress as he walks with crutches before the start of the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. Williams was injured during yesterday's shooting. U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the Republican and Democratic congressional baseball teams greet each other after a bipartisan prayer before the start of the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Members of the crowd hold signs supporting wounded Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) before the start of the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. Scalise and 4 others were wounded during a shooting yesterday morning at a practice for tonight's game.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Members of the Republican congressional baseball team say a prayer prior to the 56th Annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity at the National Park June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. The game goes on as scheduled after House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) was shot during a practice the day before.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
U.S. Capitol Hill special agent David Bailey (L), who was wounded in yesterday's shooting, throws out the first pitch before the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. Bailey and special agent Crystal Griner were assigned to U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and returned fire during the attack. Scalise is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
U.S. Capitol Hill special agent David Bailey (L), who was wounded in yesterday's shooting, reacts to applause from the crowd after throwing out the first pitch before the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017, in Washington, D.C. Bailey and special agent Crystal Griner were assigned to U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and returned fire during the attack. Scalise is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice.
Kyle Rempfer/NBC Washington
Kyle Rempfer/NBC Washington
Kyle Rempfer/NBC Washington
Kyle Rempfer/NBC Washington
Kyle Rempfer/NBC Washington
Kyle Rempfer/NBC Washington
Kyle Rempfer/NBC Washington
Kyle Rempfer/NBC Washington
Scalise graduated from LSU in 1989. He is regularly decked out “from head to toe” in team gear, a representative for Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, said Thursday morning.
Crowds came out to Nationals Park Thursday night to cheer on lawmakers during the Congressional Baseball Game. The game went on as planned only a day after a gunman opened fire during congressional baseball practice, shooting and injuring four people.
Scalise’s alma mater reportedly helped make the tribute at the game possible.
In an interview with NOLA.com, LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said he responded to a request for gear by sending hats, towels and shirts for both the Democratic and Republican teams to wear.
Scalise remains in critical condition, but has improved, MedStar Washington Hospital said in an update Thursday night. He had a second surgery related to his internal injuries and a broken bone in his leg, the hospital said.
It's the big day! Can you guess which Louisiana jersey I’ll be wearing at tonight’s Congressional Baseball Game? #tbtpic.twitter.com/6zxRxa6Dss
David Bailey, one of the Capitol Police officers injured in the shooting at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, threw out the first pitch at the game.
Bailey walked to the pitcher's mound in crutches and former New York Yankees manager Joe Torre handed him the game ball. Bailey then threw a pitch that bounced before reaching the catcher, Roberto Clemente Jr. He gave a good-natured shrug as the stadium applauded.
Three others were shot Wednesday, including Matt Mika, director of government relations for Tysons Foods, who was in critical condition after being shot twice in the chest; Capitol Police Special Agent Crystal Griner, who was shot in the ankle; and Zack Barth, an aide to Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), who was shot in the calf.
News4's Chris Lawrence takes a look at the history of the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity.
The Nationals said nearly 25,000 people attended -- a record number for the Congressional Baseball Game. More than $1 million was raised for Congressional Sports for Charity. The Capitol Police Memorial Fund was added as a beneficiary on Wednesday.
The Democrats beat the Republicans 11-2 in the friendly, but competitive, game. In a final flourish of bipartisan camaraderie for the night, Democratic Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania, his team's manager, accepted the trophy, then gave it to his GOP counterpart, Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, to put in Scalise's office on behalf of the Democrats. After accepting it gracefully, Barton cracked, "Next year we won't be so nice."
Scalise has previously played in the congressional game, and in previous years wore a variety of Louisiana jerseys.
The Congressional Baseball Game for Charity dates back to 1909, and became popular enough by 1928 to be broadcast on the radio, according to a history of the game listed on a dedicated website. The Great Depression, World War II and some speakers of the House have intervened to cancel some games.
It is one of the most anticipated events of summer at the Capitol, with Democrats and Republicans splitting the 79 games that have been played over the years 39-39, with one tie. Democrats were on a winning streak for several years before the Republicans won the last game in a squeaker, 8-7.
