WASHINGTON — Republicans and Democrats joined in a spirited, friendly rivalry Thursday at their annual Congressional Baseball Game, many fresh from the penetrating horror of the ballfield shooting rampage a day earlier and all playing in honor of their grievously wounded colleague.
The game at Nationals Park carried on a century-old bipartisan ritual, this one tinged with worry about Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise and their determination to answer the attack by coming together in sport. With Republicans and Democrats showing they can engage in a spirited rivalry without rancor — at least on the ballfield — the Dems won in an 11-2 blowout.