The Republican Congressional baseball team held its first practice Wednesday morning following a crazed gunman opening fire on the team last June.
On Wednesday morning, despite slight rain, the team met at Simpson field in Alexandria, VA to take ground balls and practice their swings, showing resiliency in the face of tragedy.
Zack Barth and Matt Mika, who were both shot in the incident, returned for Wednesday’s practice. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who was also severely injured, could not be seen in any of the photos and likely did not attend.
Zack Barth (left), who was shot in last year’s congressional baseball practice shooting, and @RepRWilliams are back on the field for this year’s first practice. pic.twitter.com/9UbDS3qAH8
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) April 25, 2018
Team huddle pic.twitter.com/hxrDCYlD7F
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) April 25, 2018
Matt Mika, who was seriously wounded in last year’s shooting, returned to practice as well pic.twitter.com/0DSW5KAOEH
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) April 25, 2018
GOP TX Rep & fmr minor league baseball player Roger Williams hits grounders to GOP Congressional baseball players at the first practice since last year’s shooting pic.twitter.com/28iI7Sfims
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) April 25, 2018
Despite rain and a muddy field, House Republicans held practice today for the Congressional Baseball Game on June 14 – anniversary of the day a gunman opened fire on GOP practice a year ago wounding @SteveScalise & others. pic.twitter.com/fQBaPUKxp7
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) April 25, 2018
Good morning from rainy Alexandria, Virginia, where Congressional Republicans are holding their first baseball practice of the season. This is their first time back on Simpson Field since last year’s shooting. pic.twitter.com/uiCYeiLlkZ
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) April 25, 2018
Members of the GOP congressional baseball team just concluded their 1st pracfice since shooting 10 months ago here in Alexandria. Congressional baseball game this year will be held June 14th. “I’m very proud of the team, very proud of their resiliency” Rep. Joe Barton. @ABC7GMW pic.twitter.com/tX5h7v6rm5
— John Gonzalez (@ABC7John) April 25, 2018
Republican Sen. Jeff Flake posted his own photo on Twitter from the practice, stating, “Great to be back on the field.”
Great to be back on the field. #CongressionalBaseball pic.twitter.com/65WXbpXV5D
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) April 25, 2018
Rep. Steve Pearce also tweeted, “back out on the practice field for another Congressional Baseball season to raise money for charity.”
Back out on the practice field for another Congressional Baseball season to raise money for charity. Play ball! pic.twitter.com/O6hRhcUFmg
— Steve Pearce (@RepStevePearce) April 25, 2018