Rep. Scalise takes field year after shooting

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON — House Majority Whip Steve Scalise reclaimed his starting position at second base Thursday night at the annual Congressional Baseball Game, one year after a gunman fired on a practice and hit him.

Walking with a cane, the third-ranking Republican got a standing ovation as he stepped onto the field for the game between Republicans and Democrats at Nationals Park.

The contest, one of Capitol Hill’s few long-standing bipartisan traditions, was expected to raise at least half a million dollars for charity.

Members of the U.S. Capitol Police security detail who were with Mr. Scalise when he was shot tossed out ceremonial pitches Thursday night.

Mr. Scalise of Louisiana — wearing a Capitol Police baseball cap — shed the cane as Democrats batted first and Republicans took the field. On the first pitch, Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., hit the ball to Mr. Scalise, who got him out at first. That prompted several lawmakers to rush Mr. Scalise and hug him.

After a few pitches, Mr. Scalise left the field arm in arm with Reps. Cedric Richmond, D-La., and Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio.

“I earned the starting job back again,” Mr. Scalise, in a joking mood, told Fox News on Thursday. “That was great, but it tells you how bad the talent level is that a guy like me who can barely walk out there right now can make it.”

Mr. Scalise has undergone nine surgeries and physical therapy.

The shooter, who was killed when Mr. Scalise’s security detail returned fire, targeted Republicans during an early-morning practice in Alexandria, Va.

A day later, as congressional leaders donned “Team Scalise” gear and the two teams played before a record-breaking crowd, the Republican whip was in and out of surgery. A bullet had entered his hip and shattered his femur. Infections followed. At times, doctors did not believe he would survive.

On Thursday night, Mr. Scalise said he was comfortable with the actions Congress has taken on gun safety, including measures to strengthen the federal background check system for gun purchases and improve school safety.

He said he sees no need to go further.

“Taking away the rights of law-abiding citizens is not the answer. Again, it was law-abiding citizens with guns that saved my life and many others,” he said.