WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just months after being sworn into Congress, two freshmen have established themselves as valuable rookies on their respective Congressional Baseball Game teams.
Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall, 56, joins the reigning champion Republicans as a pitcher fir Thursday’s Congressional Baseball Game, according to Rollcall.com.
California Rep. Jimmy Panetta should break into the starting Democratic lineup.
“It’s more fun than I thought it would be,” Marshall said. “It’s a nice way to get away from it all, as they say. When I get on the baseball field, I’m about to forget about what’s happening behind me. (Illinois Rep.) Rodney Davis is catching me and Rodney’s kind of another 100-words-a-minute kind of guy. It’s a lot of fun.”
Marshall played Little League baseball.
“I had to make the choice between track and baseball in high school and chose track,” he said. “I coached all three of my boys’ teams.”
Marshall is making it to morning practices regularly and sees it as a good way to get to know people.
“There’s not much scheduling at 6:30 in the morning, so in terms of practice, there’s no excuses,” he said. “I met everybody. But getting to know them is a whole different deal.”
That includes Texas Reps. Joe. L Barton, the GOP team manager, and Roger Williams, one of the coaches.
“Of course, the most fun thing is just to see Roger Williams in his element. It is just a hoot to see him totally engulfed in the sport,” Marshall said. “Joe’s a lot of fun. Joe’s out there keeping everybody in there, making sure all the I’s are dotted, T’s are crossed.”
His children, who used to call him “Coach” on their baseball teams, are proud of him.
“They’re ecstatic,” Marshall said. “I pushed them really hard so they’re expecting the same type of performance from me. I’m sure at least my oldest son will be at the game.”
Panetta, 47, could start for the Democratic team in the outfield.
“(Panetta’s) in tremendous shape physically,” said Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Doyle, the Democrats’ manager. “He hits the ball with power and a great fielder. He’s going to break into our starting lineup. Hopefully, he will be a good addition to the team.”
Panetta’s father, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, played in the game when he was a congressman.
“It’s a little nostalgic,” Jimmy Panetta said. “I attended a game with him at Orioles Stadium where the Democrats played the Republicans. I’ll never forget that.”
Panetta gets to know his teammates at morning practices.
“It’s been great getting to know the coaches, as well as the players,” he said. “You can’t put things off until the afternoon because you’ll just never get to it.”