The Republican National Committee defeated the Democratic National Committee 8-7 in their annual softball matchup Wednesday night, an evening of shouting and jeering so obnoxious and partisan that it possibly damaged the very fabric of the republic.

The hate-fest at the Watkins field on Capitol Hill was marked by cheers both expected (“Four more years” from the DNC stands) and never before heard at a sporting event (“Reduce the deficit” from the RNC). One tactful RNC fans responded to a DNC cheer of “Si, se puede” by shouting, “Oh, they’re going after the Hispanic vote.”