A Look at the Congressional Baseball Game and Mississippi’s Legacy in the Game

Tonight, under the bright lights of Nationals Park, the annual Congressional Baseball Game returns to center stage in Washington, D.C. A century-old tradition that has outlasted wars, scandals, the Great Depression and government shutdowns, the game pits Republicans against Democrats in a lighthearted yet fiercely competitive nine-inning showdown—all for a good cause. Including the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. The stands will be packed, the crowd loud, and while the dugouts are split along party lines, the event remains one of the rare places on Capitol Hill where unity and bipartisanship take the field together, with the Republicans taking a 46-42 all-time lead in the series over the Democrats.

Founded in 1909, the Congressional Baseball Game has grown from a casual intramural to a full-blown event. Through the decades, it’s seen its share of historic moments. In 1957, then-Senator John F. Kennedy took in the action from the Democratic dugout, and while he didn’t play, he showed his support for the game as a unifying tradition. Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and even George H.W. Bush, all known for their athleticism in their younger years, were frequent supporters and attendees of the game.

The only former president to have played in the game as a member of Congress, is…Joe Biden, who played in the game shortly after he entered the Senate in 1973. He’s mentioned it himself on several occasions, including a colorful story he told in 2021 about hitting a ball “off the right-centerfield wall” during one of his early games.

However, that tale has been met with some skepticism. According to archived reports, Biden went 0-for-2 in the 1974 game.

Magnolia State in the Congressional Baseball Game

While tonight’s rosters will not feature any current Mississippi congressmen, the Magnolia State has long had a proud presence on the diamond. Rep. Trent Kelly, a National Guard Major General and representative for Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District from Union, MS, has been a staple of the Republican squad in recent years. Known for playing a strong third base, Kelly earned national attention in 2017 during one of the darkest chapters in the game’s history—when a gunman opened fire on GOP players during their morning practice. Kelly, without hesitation, was the first to shout “active shooter,” warning his teammates and helping prevent further tragedy. His actions earned the respect of both parties and showed the courage often hidden behind political labels. Though Kelly isn’t suiting up this year, his legacy on the field remains a badge of Mississippi honor.

(Mississippi Rep. Trent Kelly in the Ole Miss jersey cheers on the GOP during the 2016 Congressional Baseball Game.)

(An Ole Miss fan holds a cardboard cutout of Mississippi Representative Trent Kelly during the 2016 game.)

Another key figure in the Mississippi GOP baseball lineage is Rep. Steven Palazzo, who represented the 4th District from 2011 to 2023. Palazzo didn’t just show up—he brought his Gulf Coast pride with him. In multiple appearances, he wore a Jones County Junior College (JCJC) baseball jersey, representing his alma mater and bringing Mississippi JUCO baseball onto the national stage. A former Marine and staunch conservative voice, Palazzo made it clear that his roots mattered—whether in the halls of Congress or rounding second base at Nats Park.

(Steven Palazzo wearing his Jones College jersey during the 2014 Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park)

Across the state line but no less connected in regional spirit, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana—who represents the greater New Orleans area—has become one of the game’s most visible and inspiring figures. Scalise, who was critically wounded in the 2017 shooting that injured several Republican lawmakers during practice, has returned to play every year since. His recovery, and his commitment to keep playing, has turned him into a symbol of perseverance and patriotism.

(New Orleans native Steve Scalise returns to the field for the 2018 Congressional Baseball Game, one year after getting shot during practice)

The Democratic bench isn’t without its own connections to the Gulf South—most notably New Orleans native Cedric Richmond, a former U.S. Representative from Louisiana’s 2nd District and one of the most talented athletes the Congressional Baseball Game has ever seen.

A proud graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Richmond played collegiate baseball for the Morehouse Maroon Tigers, where he not only lettered but excelled as a hard-throwing pitcher and team leader. While most congressional players bring a passion for the game, Richmond brought something more rare: actual scouting-level talent. He was often referred to as the Democrats’ ace—literally. His fastball once clocked in the high 80s during his early years in the game, and he consistently kept Republican hitters off balance with a sharp breaking ball and on-point command

(Sen. Cedric Richmond (D)-La was one of the best pitchers to ever play in the Congressional Baseball Game)

As the first pitch is thrown tonight, and the crowd roars in Nationals Park, the game will again be more than just a score. It’s a reminder that even amid today’s divided political landscape, baseball still has a way of bringing America together—one swing at a time. Mississippi’s players may not be in the lineup this year, but their legacy is stitched into every red-stitched ball, every chalked baseline, and every cheer from the conservative fans who know: the game isn’t just about politics. It’s about pride, community, and showing up—whether in cleats, camo, or a Jones College Bobcats jersey.