Republican Roster

• July 13, 2011, 10:50 a.m.

Rep. Lou Barletta (Pa.)

Outfield/Pitcher
Elected 2010
Home: Hazleton
Hits S | Throws L | Votes R

Barletta was a standout player who tried out with the Cincinnati Reds. He played in high school with Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon. He’ll wear the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees uniform
No. 6, from the AAA squad that plays in his district.

Rep. Joe Barton (Texas)

Manager
Elected 1984
Home: Ennis
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

After winning five consecutive MVP awards for his pitching, Barton moved to the dugout five years ago. He is hopeful that last year’s Republican victories at the ballot box will translate to a win on the diamond. He will wear a Texas Rangers uniform, No. 6.

Rep. Kevin Brady (Texas)

Second Base
Elected 1996
Home: The Woodlands
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Brady, a two-time MVP, is playing in his 15th Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game. He’s manned second base for the GOP and played collegiately for the University of South Dakota. He will wear a College Park High School jersey, No. 15.

Rep. Mike Conaway (Texas)

First Base
Elected 2004
Home: Midland
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Conaway, a certified public accountant and former high school football standout, has been practicing hard on the diamond. After wearing a Permian High School jersey in last year’s game, he’ll represent the Midland College Chaparrals, sporting No. 35.

Rep. Rick Crawford (Ark.)

Infield
Elected 2010
Home: Jonesboro
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Crawford is sporting the uniform of his alma mater, Arkansas State University. Playing in Nationals Park will be the realization of a lifelong dream for Crawford, who only recently gave up on the notion that there was still an outside chance he could get called up to the show.

Rep. Jeff Denham (Calif.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Atwater
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Denham, a regular at the House basketball games, is excited to be playing in the baseball game this year. He’ll be wearing a jersey representing the Fresno State University Bulldogs.

Rep. Robert Dold (Ill.)

Shortstop
Elected 2010
Home: Kenilworth
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Dold, a high school varsity and college athlete, hopes to put fans in the stands in support of the Washington Literacy Council and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. He’ll be wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey.

Rep. Jeff Duncan (S.C.)

Utility
Elected 2010
Home: Laurens
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Duncan, one of many freshmen playing on this year’s Republican squad, played football at Clemson University. He will wear the No. 3 uniform of his alma mater Tigers.

Rep. Jeff Flake (Ariz.)

Third Base
Elected 2000
Home: Mesa
Hits L | Throws R | Votes R

After scoring a run for the GOP last year, Flake returns to the field wearing an Arizona Diamondbacks No. 6 jersey.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (Tenn.)

First Base
Elected 2010
Home: Ooltewah
Hits L | Throws L | Votes R

Fleischmann grew up playing baseball and continues to be a huge fan of the game. The rookie is looking forward to helping his fellow Republicans put one in the win column. He’ll be wearing a University of Tennessee jersey, No. 3.

Rep. Chris Gibson (N.Y.)

Outfield/Pitcher
Elected 2010
Home: Kinderhook
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Although it has been 30 years since Gibson led his high school team with a .441 batting average in 1981, he’s ready to return to the outfield and might pitch an inning. He’ll be wearing his high school uniform, No. 39 of the Ichabod Crane Riders.

Rep. Louie Gohmert (Texas)

Outfield
Elected 2004
Home: Tyler
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Gohmert scored a run in the GOP’s one-run victory over the Democrats in 2008. A former Texas judge, Gohmert will be wearing a maroon Texas A&M University No. 1 jersey.

Rep. Trey Gowdy (S.C.)

Second Base
Elected 2010
Home: Spartanburg
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

A rookie in the Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game, Gowdy will wear a No. 12 jersey of the Wofford College Terriers.

Rep. Sam Graves (Mo.)

Outfield
Elected 2000
Home: Tarkio
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Graves isn’t afraid to get his uniform dirty with a well-timed dive or slide. With a penchant for stealing bases, he can be a disruptive force on the base paths. He’ll be wearing a No. 7 Kansas City Royals uniform.

Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill.)

Utility
Elected 2010
Home: Winfield
Hits R | Votes R | Throws R

Hultgren may be a foreboding presence at the plate, but in reality, he’s as harmless as his favorite team, the Chicago Cubs. He’ll be wearing their uniform, No. 14, honoring Ernie Banks, but he won’t be suggesting that they “play two.”

Rep. Jack Kingston (Ga.)

Third Base
Elected 1992
Home: Savannah
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Kingston returns this year in a Chain Baseball Academy jersey. He’ll be hitting with his trusty steed, his bat “Black Beauty.” Different from previous years (or so he hopes) will be the lack of ice packs or bandages that usually accompany this injury-prone third baseman.

Rep. Jeff Landry (La.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: New Iberia
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Landry, the Ragin’ Cajun freshman from southern Louisiana, is making his Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game debut. Wearing a No. 3 Nicholls State University jersey and a Louisiana State University cap, he hopes to spice things up in the outfield.

Rep. Connie Mack IV (Fla.)

Shortstop
Elected 2004
Home: Fort Myers
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Mack, whose name is synonymous with Major League Baseball, will play shortstop and wear a replica uniform of the Philadelphia Athletics in honor of his great-grandfather, legendary manager Connie Mack.

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.)

Utility
Elected 2002
Home: Livonia
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

McCotter says it is optimistic teammate Bill Shuster (Pa.) who brings him to the field in his Detroit Tigers uniform, creating a counterpoint to the Michigander’s “hard-core realist” outlook.

Rep. Patrick Meehan (Pa.)

Pitcher/Third Base
Elected 2010
Home: Drexel Hill
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Meehan, once an NHL referee, is looking forward to making his Congressional game debut. An avid fan, he played at Bowdoin College. He’s been wearing No. 9 since he was a kid playing baseball and hockey, and he’ll be wearing a Phillies jersey on the field.

Rep. Mick Mulvaney (S.C.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Indian Land
Hits L | Throws R | Votes R

Mulvaney will be wearing the No. 5 jersey of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, which could be a good omen for the Republicans — South Carolina won the NCAA College World Series just last month.

Rep. Steven Palazzo (Miss.)

Utility
Elected 2010
Home: Biloxi
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Skipping early morning practice might keep playing time to a minimum during Palazzo’s debut, according to his spokesman. He’ll be wearing a uniform from the University of Southern Mississippi as he keeps the bench warm.

Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Bowling Green
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Expect Paul to apply the same bold approach he uses in the Senate to baseball, where there’s no doubt he’ll make headlines. Although he’s a lefty, he plays baseball right-handed. He’ll be sporting the uniform of Western Kentucky University, No. 8.

Rep. Erik Paulsen (Minn.)

Utility
Elected 2008
Home: Eden Prairie
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Paulsen’s height and speed will serve him well as he takes the diamond for the third consecutive year. He’ll be breaking out the Minnesota Twins jersey once again, representing his district by wearing No. 3.

Rep. Steve Pearce (N.M.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Hobbs
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Pearce is back on the team this year after two years in retirement from baseball and Congress — and it should be noted that the GOP has never lost a game with Pearce on the roster. He’ll be wearing the crimson and white of the New Mexico State Aggies.

Rep. Todd Platts (Pa.)

Catcher
Elected 2000
Home: York
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Platts dreamed of playing catcher for the Baltimore Orioles and is excited to play, but he believes the bipartisan camaraderie and the charitable benefit are the best parts of the Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game. He’ll be wearing No. 5 from the York Revolution.

Rep. Todd Rokita (Ind.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Indianapolis
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Republicans had high hopes for Rokita’s rookie season, but a torn Achilles’ tendon suffered during an intense Member pickup game led to surgery, and Rokita will be sitting this one out. He’ll still be wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey and cheering on the team.

Rep. Tom Rooney (Fla.)

First Base
Elected 2008
Home: Tequesta
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Rooney brings a long reach and solid fielding to first base, along with a powerful middle-of-the-order bat. Rooney’s family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he’ll be wearing a Pirates uniform, No. 16.

Rep. Dennis Ross (Fla.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Lakeland
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

This freshman is a legend in Tallahassee for organizing the state legislative softball league. He hopes to make the transition from slow pitch to slightly faster. He’ll be wearing the No. 12 uniform of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rep. Steve Scalise (La.)

Second Base
Elected 2008
Home: Jefferson
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Scalise, a three-year veteran at second base, brings a 1.000 batting average into 2011. He will wear a Southeastern Louisiana University Lions jersey.

Rep. Austin Scott (Ga.)

Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Ashburn
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

At Scott’s inaugural Congressional game, he’ll be wearing the uniform of Tifton’s Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College. He chose No. 87 in honor of the historic 87-Member GOP freshman class of which he is the president.

Rep. Tim Scott (S.C.)

Pitcher
Elected 2010
Home: Charleston
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

This rookie freshman will be making his first appearance with the team wearing No. 44 on his Charleston Southern University jersey.

Rep. Pete Sessions (Texas)

Third-Base Coach
Elected 1996
Home: Dallas
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Republicans are hoping Sessions continues his successful run as a coach and that the magic on the diamond extends to the ballot box in 2012 — Sessions is chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. He’s wearing No. 32 from the Texas Rangers.

Rep. John Shimkus (Ill.)

Pitcher
Elected 1996
Home: Collinsville
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Since hitting a home run in his first Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game, Shimkus has scored high marks as both a catcher and pitcher. He has earned MVP recognition multiple times. He’ll be wearing No. 40 from Kaskaskia College.

Rep. Bill Shuster (Pa.)

Outfield
Elected 2001
Home: Hollidaysburg
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Shuster, a dominating right-handed batter, will once again take the position of right field for the Republicans. Look for him in his hometown Altoona Curve jersey.

Rep. Adrian Smith (Neb.)

Outfield
Elected 2006
Home: Gering
Hits L | Throws L | Votes R

Smith returns to the game for the third consecutive year. He will once again take the field wearing a University of Nebraska Cornhuskers uniform.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman (Ind.)

Catcher/Pitcher
Elected 2010
Home: Howe
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Stutzman, a freshman, had experience at shortstop, third base, catcher and pitcher during high school. A lifetime Chicago Cubs fan looking to get playing time as part of the battery, he’ll be wearing a No. 3 Trine University jersey.

Rep. Joe Walsh (Ill.)

Pitcher
Elected 2010
Home: McHenry
Hits L | Throws L | Votes R

This tea party sweetheart is making his Congressional game debut pitching for the GOP, where he’ll proudly be wearing the
No. 4 uniform from his hometown’s McHenry County College.

Rep. Daniel Webster (Fla.)

Pitcher
Elected 2010
Home: Orlando
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

He might be a rookie, but Webster has experience with baseball and fast-pitch softball. When it comes to baseball, he says, he plays to win. When it comes to politics, he’s not afraid of a little hardball.

Rep. Rob Wittman (Va.)

Outfield
Elected 2007
Home: Montross
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Wittman returns for his third year of Congressional baseball. He’ll sport a No. 8 jersey from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg.

Rep. Steve Womack (Ark.)

Infield/Outfield
Elected 2010
Home: Rogers
Hits R | Throws R | Votes R

Womack might be a rookie, but he was a multi-sport athlete in high school and played one season of college football at Arkansas Tech University. He’ll be wearing a No. 3 University of Arkansas Razorbacks jersey.

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