Congress plays annual baseball game

Democrats may have a majority in Congress, but they’re the underdogs when it comes to the annual Congressional Baseball Game. They’ve lost the last eight years in a row. And this year, they’re playing without their hard-hitting designated hitter – she just had a baby. KPCC’s Washington Correspondent Kitty Felde takes us out to the ball game.

Announcer: It’s time to play ball!

Kitty Felde: It’s like Hollywood Stars Night – except the “stars” are the luminaries of Capitol Hill.

Announcer: Mr. Reliable, Joe Baca!

Congressman Joe Baca: This is our World Series!

Felde: Congressman Joe Baca is the starting pitcher for the Democrats. The San Bernardino Representative is a bit older and a bit shorter than the rest of the team, but he’s also one of the few with actual baseball experience.

Baca played second base in a semi-pro league. He’s been playing for the Democrats since 2001, even undergoing “Tommy John surgery” to repair his throwing arm.

Baca: We do it for charity. And second of all, we want to live our fantasies. So this is like coming to a dream camp, and you put on your uniform and you reminisce when you used to play ball and try to get the same feeling when you played before. And it’s like being a child all over. That’s why we take it serious, too.

Felde: The tradition began a hundred years ago. Congressman John Tener grew nostalgic for his glory days as a pitcher with the Chicago “White Stockings.” So in 1909, he organized a pickup game with his Capitol Hill colleagues.

Partisan politics found their way into the game even back then. Democrats complained that putting Tener on the mound gave the Republicans an unfair advantage. So the congressman played the infield. And the Republicans lost. It’s been bad blood ever since.

Announcer: Duncan Hunter. I’ve watched this young man for years. Years ago we used to call him “Little Dunc.” Little Dunc’s grown up.

Felde: Republicans pinned their hopes this year on freshman Congressman Duncan Hunter of El Cajon. Hunter is a former Marine who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. But the last time he played on a baseball team, he was 12.

Congressman Duncan Hunter: I know it. Too much pressure. We’ll see what happens here.
Felde: Well, they kind of think that you’ve got the stuff to really put this team over the top.
Hunter: I think anybody under 50 here they had to put pressure on. I think that’s the story.

Felde: Democrats are short handed this year: their designated hitter, and the only female on either team, Linda Sanchez, had to sit this one out.

Announcer: Linda Sanchez from California, she’s on the pregnancy reserve.

Felde: The Democrat from Lakewood had a baby boy five weeks ago.

Congresswoman Linda Sanchez: It’s really hard. It’s my favorite time of year ‘cause you get the opportunity to go and practice with colleagues in a non-professional way and get to bond with them. It’s hard sort of sort of sitting on the sidelines and watching them. But I’m rooting for them. And I hear they’ve got a great team this year, so I’m excited to bring my son to watch and to cheer on the Democrats.
Felde: Does he have any early athletic ability that you can detect at five weeks?
Sanchez: He’s got strong hands, so maybe he’ll grow up to be a designated hitter like his mom.

[Sound of hit]

Felde: It was the Republican designated hitter Duncan Hunter who got the first hit of the game. He also struck out twice. Democrat Joe Baca got the win, pitching a complete game. Final score: Democrats 15, Republicans 10. But just wait 'til next year.