Ticket sales to the Congressional Baseball Game rose steadily since the shooting at a Republican baseball practice Wednesday in Alexandria, Va..
The shooting injured five people including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who remains in critical condition.
Rep. Roger Williams, R-T.X., who was present for the attack, confirmed Wednesday the game would be held, adding that “if we go home, they win.”
Since the shooting, tickets have been selling out at a rate of 500 per hour, with over 18,000 sold in total. Organizers previously expected to raise around $650,000 but now expect to raise close to $1 million.
General admission tickets are $10, while reserved tickets for the Republican or Democrat sides are $15. All of the proceeds go to benefit charities, including the Washington Literacy Center, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and the Fallen Officers Fund.
The annual contest has been held since 1909. This year’s game will be held at Nationals Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the pre-game concert before the first pitch, which will take place at 7:05 p.m.
