Republican senator makes sensational diving catch in Congressional Baseball Game

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt making a diving catch.

The annual Congressional Baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., provided a "web-gem" worthy highlight Wednesday evening when a Republican senator made a sensational diving catch down the left field line, robbing a Democrat of a hit in front of a sold-out crowd in the nation's capital. 

The play unfolded in the bottom of the third inning with Republicans leading 3-0. U.S. Representative Johnny Olszewski, a lefty from Maryland who was at the plate for the Democrats, swung at a fastball and sent a fly ball down the left field line. U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri who was playing in left field ranged toward the line and dove at the last second, making a remarkable catch to rob Olszewski of a base hit, and possibly a double. 

"What a dive -- oh, what a play!" the stunned play-by-play announcer shouted as the 35,000 fans watching erupted in applause. "Amazing catch down the left-field line," the color analyst chimed in. The play by Schmitt, 50, was the highlight of the game, and appeared to leave him with an abrasion on his nose after his face scraped against the warning track dirt as he laid out to make the catch.

Olszewski acknowledge the catch on social media after the game, saying, "Respect." The diving catch was such a dazzling defensive play that SportsCenter featured the highlight among its top 10 plays of the day.

The Republicans went on to win, 11-2. It was the sixth consecutive year Republicans have defeated Democrats in the annual charity game. The Congressional Baseball Game was first played in 1909, and early on was played biennially. Over the 117 years since its inception, there have also been interruptions to the schedule for significant disruptions caused by The Great Depression and World War II. 

This year's edition of the game "raised a record-breaking $3.2 million for local charities," House Speaker Mike Johnson said.

In addition to flashing the leather in the third inning, Schmitt had two hits. For his efforts, he was named co-MVP of the game, sharing the honor with Republican Greg Steube, a U.S. Representative from Florida, who pitched for the GOP team.

“I do think sports still brings people together. And I grew up playing sports. I’m a fan. And so I think for people to come together and have some fun and play baseball in America,” Schmitt said after the game, according to local news channel KY3. In a post on X, Schmitt said he "left it all on the field," and added that he was "honored" to be named MVP. Below, watch video of the incredible catch.