Republicans crush Democrats in protest-hit congressional baseball game

Republicans humbled Democrats in the 2024 edition of the congressional baseball game Wednesday night, winning by a lopsided score of 31-11 and extending their winning streak to four years.

The game was briefly disrupted by left-wing protesters, who took to the Nationals Stadium stands and field to protest congressional actions involving the war in Gaza and the climate.

Played first in 1909 and every year since 1962 — excepting 2020 — Republicans have a slight edge in overall record, with nearly 100 games in the books.

“I’m glad we’re still America’s team,” Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas), the coach for the Republican team, told members of the press at the end of the game. 

Some Republicans struck a similar patriotic tone toward the protests. 

In response to the arrest of climate protesters, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) wrote in a since-since-deleted post on the social platform X: “Tackling climate activists at the Congressional Baseball Game. ‘Merica.”

Eight protesters with Climate Defiance, a youth-led climate advocacy group, jumped onto the field during the third inning and were promptly tackled and arrested by the Capitol Police. All eight arrestees face a federal charge of interference with a member of the U.S. Capitol Police, according to a post from the department on X.

This is the second time in recent years that climate protesters have been arrested at the game. A 2022 protest, organized by Now or Never, led to the arrests of three individuals for unlawful entry after blocking one of the park entrances.

“Congress, Congress, you can’t hide, we charge you with ecocide,” protesters chanted outside the stadium ahead of this year’s game.

At the start of the game, a separate, pro-Palestinian protest also took place in the stadium, with the Capitol Police escorting a small group of protesters holding banners near the field out of the stands.

Members of the group managed to hand out flyers that read “this game is sponsored by genocide,” listing the names of several corporations — including Google, Amazon and Boeing — and their relationship with the Israeli military.

Once the game started, the Democrats briefly pulled ahead in the second inning, but the Republicans quickly stormed back with nine runs across the third and fourth innings. They expanded their lead from there, with a 10-spot in the seventh inning completing a final score looking more like a blowout football game. 

The Democrats’ lackluster showing came despite a standout performance from the only senator on the team, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a new addition to their roster.

The 51-year-old senator, whose baseball career lasted through his first year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, surprised spectators by striking Republicans out while on the mound, racking up a multihit night at the plate and making some strong defensive plays in the field.

A hit from Padilla allowed Democrats to briefly take the lead in the second inning. However, Republicans quickly rose to respond with a hit from Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas) putting his side back on top. 

“We’ve been trying to get him to play for years,” Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) told Spectrum News at a Democrat practice this week. 

The Republicans had several star players of their own. Among the ranks was returning left fielder Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo), who posted a video edit to X of himself practicing swings to Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye’s “Run This Town” on Tuesday.

Schmitt came through in the seventh inning when he stepped up to the plate with bases loaded and hit a ball deep into left field, allowing Republicans to run up the score. Shortly after, Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) slid into home plate, bringing the Republican score up to 31.  

Democrats left Nationals Stadium defeated, yet hopeful about turning the tide next year. 

“To my fellow teammates: we’ll get ’em next year,” starting catcher Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) wrote on X.