Press notches victory over lawmakers in Congressional Women’s Softball Game

Members of the press knocked it out of the park Wednesday in the 16th iteration of the Congressional Women’s Softball Game, bringing in a 9-4 victory over lawmakers.

While Washington was under the shadow of cloudy skies, the rain held off until the game was complete. The win, the second in a row for the press, extends the media’s softball record to 10-4.

The charity game, started in 2009 by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), raises money for the Young Survival Coalition — a group that supports young adults diagnosed with breast cancer. Wasserman Schultz unveiled the idea for the game after she publicly announced her own battle with the disease.

The 2024 game brought in a record $675,000, surpassing the previous year’s haul by more than $65,000. Overall, the event has raised more than $4.3 million for charity since it began.

The Florida Democrat launched the softball series alongside Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine,) and former Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.). Wasserman Schultz and Gillibrand were both present at Wednesday’s game, the latter pitching for the lawmakers.

“#TeamCongress put up a good fight but the #BadNewsBabes take the [trophy],” Wasserman Schultz posted on social media platform X following the game. “As always, the crowd rocked, the #CWSG was a blast and we raised at least $670K+, a record for young women cancer survivors. So proud of both teams. Can’t wait for next year!”

Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), who held the line at first base for Team Congress, lauded the importance of the annual event in remarks to The Hill.

“This game is wholly personal to so many people, both survivors, people who are still in the fight,” Cammack said. “Everybody knows someone who has had breast cancer. They have had breast cancer. So, it’s very personal for people to come out, and it’s just a feel-good event.” 

The press team, the “Bad News Babes,” started the game with an early lead of 2-0 after two runs off of three hits in the first inning. While the media team was able to extend their lead to a 9-0 by the sixth inning, Team Congress attempted to make a resurgence.

Rep. Brittany Petterson (D-Colo.) put the lawmakers on the board by scoring the first run, after Rep. Kathy Castor’s (D-Fla.) chance at bat ended with a walk to first base. In quick succession, Reps. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) also scored, with Schrier stealing a base during the sixth inning. 

Castor scored the fourth run for Team Congress, but Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) earned the final out for the team that inning after her hit was caught, dashing hopes of a last-minute comeback. 

By the seventh inning, some of the players and coaches were ready to head to the post-game celebration. New York Times chief Washington correspondent Carl Hulse, who served as the Bad News Babes’s coach, even told his players at one point to “get some outs so we can go to the afterparty.” 

Wasserman Schultz kept the game alive briefly in the seventh inning as the only member of Team Congress not to strike out immediately, with two quick outs before her. However, the lawmakers were unable to close the gap. 

At the post-game soiree, the press awarded Spectrum News reporter Cassie Semyon with the “Spirit” award, CNN host Brianna Keiler — who also pitched for the team — garnered the MVP award and Chicago Sun-Times journalist Lynn Sweet won the award of being “most improved player.”

The Babes also handed PBS correspondent Lisa Desjardins a prized possession: The game ball. 

On the Capitol Hill side, Craig was awarded the “Spirit” award and Reps. Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.) and Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) were honored as the “most improved” players.

The softball victory comes just two weeks after lawmakers faced off — Republicans against Democrats — in the annual Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park. The GOP drubbed the Dems with a 31-11 victory despite the game being briefly disrupted by protestors.

Cammack, who played in both charity events, said increasing the softball game’s reach is “a priority”

“I would love to see this grow into $1 million every year. I’d love to see us at Nationals Stadium, and I would love to see all of our colleagues come out and support how they do the baseball game,” Cammack told The Hill after Wednesday’s game.

Hulse also told The Hill that he prefers the softball game over the baseball game, adding that he hopes the event will grow in attendance.

“This isn’t a partisan game,” he said. “It’s like them against us, which kind of how it is most of the time anyway.

“I’ve been around a long time. I know most of the members of Congress,” the coach added. “It’s kind of fun, and it’s something to break the ice since it’s a little tense in the real world.”