Political baseball game tonight

photo U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn.
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

WASHINGTON - Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District will be well-represented at tonight's annual congressional baseball game at Nationals Park.

Blasting in from the past will be former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, the eight-term Chattanooga Republican and newest inductee to the CQ Roll Call Congressional Baseball Hall of Fame. He'll throw out the first pitch as his left-handed successor, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, readies for time at second base.

Also a Republican, Fleischmann has a complex history with his predecessor. Wamp's 26-year-old son, Weston, unsuccessfully challenged Fleischmann in last year's Republican primary.

A charity event, the 7:05 p.m. game pits House Democrats against House Republicans. A few senators play, too. Fleischmann is the only Tennessean on either squad, according to rosters listed online.

According to a Roll Call story published Wednesday, Wamp's baseball career "included an MVP award, an inside-the-park home run, a hitting streak that spanned the length of his tenure on the diamond and a batting average better than .500."

This is Fleischmann's third game since taking office in 2011.

The 3rd District includes Chattanooga, Oak Ridge and several rural counties up and down East Tennessee.

Contact staff writer Chris Carroll at ccarroll@timesfreepress.com or 423-280-2025.

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