House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R., La.) returned to baseball practice Wednesday as he continues to recover from gunshot wounds inflicted by a shooter who ambushed the Republican congressional baseball team's practice last year.
Scalise returned to Congress in September after being shot in the hip in June 2017, and he credited the Capitol Police serving as his security detail with saving him and others who were defenseless on the scene. The congressman still uses crutches and will not be fit enough to play in the June 14 Congressional Baseball Game, an annual charity event, but he enjoyed practicing and said he is excited to watch.
"It was great to be on the ball field this morning," Scalise tweeted. "Can’t wait for @TheHillBaseball on June 14th!"
Fox News' Brian Kilmeade noted Utah Rep. Mia Love will take Scalise's former spot at second base. Love said the team will be celebrating Scalise's survival at the game.
"It’s going to be a celebration of survival," Love said. "They didn’t take my friend Scalise out."
The gunman who targeted the baseball practice in Alexandria, Va., was shot dead by police responding to the scene. Scalise was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and underwent surgery. Three others were also shot, but all survived.
Virginia's attorney general called the shooting "an act of terrorism," saying gunman James Hodgkinson was "fueled by rage against Republican legislators." Hodgkinson had previously written online posts sharply critical of Republicans.
Wednesday is not the first time Scalise has thrown a baseball since the shooting, however. In October, Scalise threw the opening pitch at the Washington Nationals' first-round MLB playoff game, despite needing a walker.