Democrats, Republicans To Play Ball At Nats Park After Shooting: Spectator Information

WASHINGTON, DC — Despite the violent attack on Republican lawmakers at a baseball field in Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday, the annual matchup between Republicans and Democrats will go on as scheduled at Nationals Park in D.C. the very next day. Here's what you need to know.

The Congressional Baseball Game has taken place nearly every year since 1909, with intermittent interruptions due to the Great Depression and World War II. It raises money for three local charities: The Washington Literary Center, The Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. After Wednesday's shooting, players said that Congress has added the Fallen Officers Fund to the list of charities to receive proceeds from the game.

The game will begin at 7:05 p.m. (gates open at 5:30 p.m.), and C-SPAN will televise the event. Tickets are still available on the event's website. They are $10 for general admission and $15 for reserved seating.

The Washington Nationals haven't announced any additional security measures as a result of the shooting. Metal detectors are deployed at all Nationals Park entrances.

"The League works closely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to ensure effective safety programs are in place at all MLB facilities," according to the Nationals website. "In 2015, all Major League Baseball teams will use a form of metal detection in an effort to increase and standardize security practices across the game."

Visitors will also have their bags checked by staff.

"This bipartisan event shows baseball's power to bring people together," the Nationals said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those wounded today and their families."

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), who was at Eugene Simpson Field at the time of the shooting but was not injured, confirmed that the game would go on as planned in a joint press conference with Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.).

“We’re united not as Republicans and Democrats, but as United States representatives," Barton said. "And I believe C-SPAN is going to televise the game. So we’d ask the American people to [say a] prayer for those who were shot, both the congressman and volunteers and our officers. And it will be ‘play ball’ tomorrow night at 7:05.”

The event is an "annual partisan showdown beloved by all and enjoyed by thousands," Major League Baseball says on its website.

"Every year, with a few interruptions, Senate and House members of each party team up to settle scores and solidify friendships off the floor and on the field. Members usually sport the uniform of their home states and districts, and although proportional representation is not required, elected officials of many states play to win every year."

Texas Rep. Roger Williams, whose legislative correspondent Zack Barth was one of the people shot, said in an interview with the Today show that it was the "right time to play this game."

“It’s baseball, it’s America, and when America gets punched, America punches back and we’ll do that tonight,” he said.

The investigation into the shooting continues. Police say 66-year-old James Hodgkinson, a Bernie Sanders supporter, fired a rifle at the Republicans as they practiced on the field early Wednesday morning, injuring five people including to U.S. Capitol police officers. Police returned fire, fatally injuring Hodgkinson.

Image via Major League Baseball