Scalise returns to GOP baseball practice a year after shooting

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) on Wednesday returned to the baseball field one year after he was shot and severely injured during practice for the charity Congressional Baseball Game.

A gunman wounded five people last summer at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Va., while Republicans were practicing for the game. The attacker, who died of injuries after security officials returned fire, was reportedly motivated by anger with GOP legislators.

Scalise has undergone multiple surgeries since the June 14, 2017, shooting, and his recovery is ongoing.

“I’m definitely a living example that miracles really do happen,” Scalise said when he returned to the House floor last September.

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), who witnessed the attack, said it “does my heart good” to see him back on the field.

.@SteveScalise back on the field this morning. This does my heart good. pic.twitter.com/97uQImUgCl

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) June 6, 2018

Scalise retweeted the message, adding, “Feels good to be back with the team!”

Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), a physician who came to the aid of Scalise during the shooting, tweeted a welcome back message with a photo of him laughing on the field with the Louisiana Republican.

Welcome back, @SteveScalise pic.twitter.com/OtwtrbxFJ5

— Brad Wenstrup (@RepBradWenstrup) June 6, 2018

Scalise had said at a House GOP press conference earlier Wednesday that he “felt great” ahead of the practice.

The Congressional Baseball Game, in which Republicans and Democrats play against each other, will be held a week from Thursday, exactly one year after the shooting.