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Republicans’ First Congressional Baseball Practice After Shooting Set for April 25

Security higher at the field in Alexandria, Virginia

Cones, police tape and emergency medical bags are seen at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia, where House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot during practice for the Congressional Baseball Game on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Cones, police tape and emergency medical bags are seen at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia, where House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot during practice for the Congressional Baseball Game on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

The Republican congressional baseball team will return to Simpson Field in Alexandria, Virginia, for its first practice after last year’s shooting.

The practice is at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 25.  The team, managed by Rep. Joe L. Barton, will hold a press conference at 7:30 a.m. 

This year’s Congressional Baseball Game is scheduled for June 14 at Nationals Park.

The team’s organizers are requesting that cameras and trucks be staged in place by 5:45 a.m. Wednesday for a security sweep.

In all previous practices, there were no media sweeps. Oftentimes, Roll Call was the only outlet that covered practices. 

Game On: Video Highlights from the 2017 Congressional Baseball Game

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[Democrats Down Republicans, Both Down the Rhetoric]

Members of the media interested in attending must inform organizers by close of business Monday. They will be allowed to stage along the third base.

Previously, media were able to roam the dugout, field and all surrounding areas.

The shooting occurred on June 14 when James Hodgkinson walked up to practice at Simpson Field and opened fire. Among the five shot was House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who is still recovering.

The others were Crystal Griner and David Bailey, Capitol Police officers on Scalise’s security detail; lobbyist Matt Mika, who was practicing with the team;  and Zach Barth, a staffer to Texas Rep. Roger Williams.

Williams sprained his ankle from careening into the dugout at full speed during the attack. 

Hodgkinson died after a gun battle with police on the scene.

Watch: The History of the Congressional Baseball Game

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