Senator Eric Schmitt Prepares for the Congressional Baseball Game with Hopes for Trump’s Attendance

Senator Eric Schmitt Prepares for the Congressional Baseball Game with Hopes for Trump’s Attendance

The scheduling of a congressional lawmaker’s day is often filled with meetings, hearings, and media appearances. Yet, this year, many have June 11 marked on their calendars as a date to remember.

This occasion transforms any rivalry between Republicans and Democrats into a friendly competition on the lush grass of Nationals Park, home to Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals.

The Congressional Baseball Game stands as an annual tradition where Republican and Democratic members of the House and Senate face off on the baseball field. First played in 1909, the game began with the Democrats defeating Republicans 26-16. Despite a few cancellations over the years, this event has continued annually.

The Republicans currently hold the series lead, having won the past four games. Last year, GOP lawmakers triumphed with a commanding score of 31-11.

Senator Schmitt’s Passion for the Game

For Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, excitement for the Congressional Baseball Game is a yearly highlight. A dedicated fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Schmitt played baseball during his college years at Truman State University. Last year, he released an engaging highlights reel and made impactful contributions during the game, which ended in a decisive win for his team.

Feeling optimistic, Schmitt expressed his confidence in the team’s preparation, saying, “We’ve got a good team and our coach, Roger Williams, gets us out there in the mornings pretty early for practices. We’ve been taking fly balls and getting our timing back. There’s nothing like playing in a major league stadium with 30,000 fans cheering you on for a great cause; it’s a lot of fun.”

Schmitt humorously remarked on his unexpected career change, stating, “I was joking with one of the other outfielders last year. I said, ‘This is what I really wanted to do with my life – be in the Major Leagues with the Cardinals’ – but I ended up in the Senate. We get to do this once a year, and it’s a blast.”

The Importance of Winning

For Schmitt, the primary goal is to win, though breaking records could serve as a secondary ambition. Notably, the Democrats set a scoring record of 36 runs back in 1928, a feat that remains in the spotlight during preparations.

Charity as a Core Component

A significant aspect of the Congressional Baseball Game revolves around its charitable mission. Members from both political sides gather to raise funds for Congressional Sports for Charity, an initiative that supports various effective charities dedicated to helping vulnerable children and families in the Washington, D.C. area. This includes scholarships for deserving local youths.

Among the charities benefitting from the event are the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, Washington Nationals Philanthropies, and the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund. This fund honors the courageous officers involved in the tragic shooting during a Republican practice in June 2017.