"They saved everybody's life", Williams said of Griner and Bailey. I think he was not able to get on the field because the gate was locked on the other side. "I heard the first shot and I thought maybe a vehicle had backfired, but then I heard the second, third and fourth and everyone yelled, 'He's got a gun".
According to The Associated Press, U.S. Rep Joe Barton said the shooting lasted up to ten minutes with dozens - possibly hundreds - of shots fired.
Williams identified Zack Barth, his office's legislative correspondent, as one of the victims in the shooting. "He held me, I held him. "(Rep.) Jeff Flake took his belt off and made a tourniquet around Zach's leg to stop the bleeding. "The thin blue line held today and America should be thankful that this is still the type of country that produces these types of heroes". "It's something I will not forget". Two capitol policemen part of the security team were also shot. "They saved all of us out there, there is no question about it".
The Texas congressman added, "We're going to play". Served Congressmen, Governors and Mayor Pro-Tem Barth has had a lengthy career in government in a short time, according to his LinkedIn account.
"We're going to play, we need to play", Williams said.
The Congressional Baseball Game got its start in 1909 when Representative John Tener of Pennsylvania organized the inaugural game. Rep. Williams has been the coach of the team since he joined Congress in 2013. Since then, 79 games have been played, with Democrats and Republicans boasting a tie record of 39 wins, 29 losses, and 1 tie.
During its century-long run, the Congressional Baseball Game has evolved into a fundraiser for DC area charities including The Washington Literacy Center, The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation.
