Congress on the Diamond: A look at the highs and lows of a DC tradition

Fox News contributor Jason Chaffetz discusses House Republicans canceling their plans to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt on "Sunday Night In America."

Baseball was on the rise in the early 20th century.

The Boston Americans defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates five games to three in a best-of-nine series in 1903. And that was the first modern World Series.

It took six years, but Congress launched its own baseball showcase – usually the Democrats against the Republicans, but sometimes even lawmakers against the congressional press corps.

Imagine that now.

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Republicans celebrate after winning the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity at Nationals Park on July 28, 2022, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The annual bipartisan game was first played in 1909. (Tasos Katopodis)

Late Rep. John Tener, R-Penn., grew up in what is now Northern Ireland. But after coming to the U.S., Tener played for an older version of the Baltimore Orioles, the Chicago White Stockings and the Pittsburgh Burghers prior to entering Congress. Tener founded the annual Congressional Baseball Game as a lawmaker – and then went on to serve as governor of Pennsylvania and president of the National League from 1913 to 1918.

The Democrats went on to win the first five congressional games.

World wars, concerns from the House speaker and the COVID-19 pandemic have periodically canceled congressional games over the years. But lawmakers have met on the ball diamond most years since 1909.

Lawmakers from both parties suit up for the latest installment of the parliamentary series on Wednesday night at Nationals Park, just blocks south of the U.S. Capitol.