Introduction to the Congressional Baseball Game
The Congressional Baseball Game is an annual charity baseball game which has been played since 1909. The game is a tradition of the US Congress and takes place between Republican and Democrat members of the US House of Representatives. It is the only annual congressional sporting event in the United States and it has become an important symbol of bipartisanship and goodwill between the two major political parties.
History of the Congressional Baseball Game
The first game was organized by John Tener, a former professional baseball player and then-member of the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. The game has been played annually since then, with the exception of only a few years when the game was cancelled due to World War I and World War II.
The game has traditionally been held at the historic Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. In 2008, the game was moved to Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals baseball team. The game is now held at Nationals Park every year, with the exception of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Charities the Congressional Baseball Game Supports
The Congressional Baseball Game is a charity game and all proceeds go to three charities: The Washington Literacy Center, The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, and The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. Each of these charities provide important services to the Washington D.C. community and the money raised by the game helps to support their work.
2020 Congressional Baseball Game
The 2020 Congressional Baseball Game was scheduled to take place at Nationals Park on June 11, 2020. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the game was cancelled. The game was rescheduled for September 23, 2020 and was played at Nationals Park.
Players of the 2020 Congressional Baseball Game
The 2020 Congressional Baseball Game was played by members of both the Republican and Democratic caucuses. The Republican team was captained by Steve Scalise of Louisiana, while the Democratic team was captained by Mike Thompson of California.
Highlights of the 2020 Congressional Baseball Game
The 2020 Congressional Baseball Game was an exciting game that went down to the wire. The Republicans got off to a quick start and led 8-1 after two innings. The Democrats fought back and tied the game 8-8 in the fifth inning. The Republicans then scored two runs in the sixth inning to take the lead 10-8. The Democrats rallied in the seventh inning and scored three runs to take the lead 11-10. The Republicans scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game again at 11-11. The game ended in a tie after the ninth inning as the umpires called the game due to darkness.
Winners of the 2020 Congressional Baseball Game
At the end of the game, there was no official winner declared and the score was recorded as a tie. However, the Republicans were awarded the coveted “Roll Call Trophy” for their strong performance. The trophy is awarded each year to the team that best exemplifies the spirit of the game.
Reactions to the 2020 Congressional Baseball Game
The 2020 Congressional Baseball Game was widely praised for its competitive spirit and the way it brought the two political parties together. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, “The 2020 Congressional Baseball Game provided a needed reminder that we are all in this together and that we can work together for the good of our nation.”
Conclusion
The 2020 Congressional Baseball Game was a thrilling game that showcased the spirit of bipartisanship and camaraderie in the US Congress. Although there was no official winner declared, the Republicans were awarded the coveted “Roll Call Trophy” for their strong performance. The game was a reminder that, despite our differences, we can still come together to work for the betterment of our country.
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