Dave Lawrence ’79 served as the second base umpire for the 2018 Congressional baseball game on June 14, 2018 at Nationals Park in D.C. The game was first played in 1909 and at its 57th iteration this June, attendance was over 16,000. More than one million dollars has been raised for local charities in 2018 alone due to this event!

Congressman Scalise, who was seriously wounded in the 2017 mass shooting at the Republican baseball practice, was able to return to be the starting second baseman for this year’s game. However, as CNN noted in a profile they did on him the week of the game, his health is still an issue – in particular limiting his mobility to the point that he would not be able to field a ball unless it was hit right to him.

Lawrence recounts what it was like with Scalise at the game: “Well, in a moment that must have seemed like it was scripted (though I can assure you it was not), the very first play of the game was a ground ball right at Congressman Scalise which he backhanded as he fell to his knee, and he then successfully threw the batter-runner out at first. As he did so, the entire stadium erupted”. Here is a link to the incredible play.

Jumbotron picture of the umpire crew – Lawrence ’79 is second from left.

Lawrence ’79 on the infeild with Congressman Steve Scalise, the starting Republican second baseman who was so grieviously wounded in the mass shooting a year earlier to the day.

Congressman Scalise at second base with US Capitol Police officers David Bailey and Crystal Griner, the two officers who saved his life a year earlier. Officers Griner and Bailey helped Congressman Scalise out to his position as the starting second baseman (he normally uses a crutch these days).

Congratulations, Dave!