W. Steube

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., on Newsmax said months of preparation and a strong Republican lineup have him confident heading into Wednesday night's Congressional Baseball Game, where lawmakers will once again trade legislative debates for competition on the field at Nationals Park.

The annual charity game, one of Congress' longest-running bipartisan traditions, dates to 1909 when former professional baseball player and GOP Rep. John Tener of Pennsylvania organized the first matchup between lawmakers. Republicans hold a 47-42 all-time advantage and enter this year's contest riding a six-game winning streak.

Steube, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and is the Republicans' primary pitcher, told "National Report" that the chance to play before a packed crowd remains a highlight despite the physical demands.

"I'm just looking forward to the opportunity again tonight," Steube said. "I mean, how many people, even Major League Baseball players, don't have the opportunity to play in front of 35,000 people."

"And so it's just a great opportunity, and it all goes to charity. We raised a record this year — $3.3 million — and a record sold-out crowd of 35,000," he added.

The Congressional Baseball Game raises money for several charities, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, the Washington Literacy Center, and the U.S. Capitol Police Memorial Fund.

Steube, 48, said success on the mound requires far more preparation than many fans realize.

"People don't realize that part of it," he said. "At 48 years old, you can't just walk up to the mound and throw 100 pitches."

We start practicing in March. … The team gets together … at like 5:30 in the morning every day," continued Steube.

"The biggest thing is our guys just making sure that we stay healthy and don't get hurt and tweak hamstrings and groins and all that kind of stuff," he added. "It's easy to do that when you get a little older … I'm excited for the game, but I'll be very happy when it's over tonight."

Steube also praised Republican manager Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, a former member of the Atlanta Braves organization.

"He always talks about … this game is very different than the major leagues," Steube said. "As long as I throw strikes and we play defense, we'll be successful."

Pointing to recent Republican dominance, Steube said he expects another strong offensive performance.

"Last year, I think we won by 11 runs. The year before that it was like 31 to 11, so we're going to hit the ball," he said. "This year, we're visitors, so I'm hopeful that we can get out ahead four or five runs and then get up there and shut them out."

Asked about the toughest Democrat opponents, Steube singled out Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif., and Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., as "the two guys" who worry the GOP.

"Jimmy Panetta is the only Democrat that has a better batting average than I do," he said. "So they've got a few guys that can hit. But as long as we play defense and we catch the ball, we'll be in good shape."

The game comes nearly eight years after the 2017 shooting at a Republican team practice that wounded then-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., an event that underscored the significance of the annual bipartisan tradition.

Since then, attendance and fundraising have continued to grow, making the Congressional Baseball Game one of Washington's premier charity events.

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