Break out the “Take Me Out to the Paul Game” T-shirts.  

Though he will be busy on the presidential campaign trail, Sen. Rand Paul will be taking the plate at the 54th Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game this year, a campaign aide confirmed Monday to HOH. The Kentucky Republican has participated in the game since he first came to the Senate in 2011, and he will head back to Nationals Park on June 11 in hopes of leading the GOP to its first win against the Democrats in six years. Paul will also likely bring his legion of fans, who have been some of the crowd’s standouts.  

Playing baseball for Republicans each year is in Paul’s blood. His father, former Rep. Ron Paul, also played for the GOP during his congressional tenure. The elder Paul is believed to have been the first person to hit a home run out of the ballpark, and he was inducted into the Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.  

Democrats have dominated the annual charity game in recent years, beating their Republican opponents 15-6 in 2014, but are facing questions this year after losing star Rep. Adam Smith of Washington to the disabled list . The Democrats’ ace pitcher Rep. Cedric L. Richmond of Louisiana, who has pitched through entire games, is also recovering from shoulder surgery, and told HOH he is unsure if he will be able to pitch .  

Richmond’s golden arm has been the bane of Republicans, and Paul tweeted last year that he is advocating for term limits for Democratic pitchers. Paul also received some press last year for wearing his GOP pride on his sleeve. He showed up to the conservative Leadership Institute breakfast in his baseball uniform, because he went to the event directly from practice.  

Related:

Democrats Lose Adam Smith, but Coach Mike Doyle Remains Confident


Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game


Cedric Richmond in Physical Therapy, Unsure He Will Pitch


Cedric Richmond Has ‘Every Intention’ of Pitching Next Year


Congressional Baseball Game Scheduled for June


The 114th: CQ Roll Call’s Guide to the New Congress


Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.