WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Bad News Babes defeated Team Congress 22-16 in the Congressional Women’s Softball Game on Wednesday night. The contest at Audi Field raised more than $880,000 for the Young Survival Coalition.

Audi Field has a capacity of up to 20,000 people. The score was tied 7-7 before the Bad News Babes took the lead. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan. Hit a grand slam during the game. Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds hit a ball that was ruled a ground rule double after rolling under the outfield fence. Gretchen Frazee of PBS News hit a RBI for the Bad News Babes. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla. pitched for Team Congress.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. Was the only senator playing in the game. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. Attended the game to support Team Congress but did not play. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D. acknowledged the competitive disparity between the teams. "They have some legitimately good players, the press — and they’re probably on average 15 years younger than us," Fedorchak said.

Fedorchak also noted the effort displayed by her teammates despite the deficit. "Some of our fielding could have used a little extra work, but I think we never gave up," she added. Castor addressed the tone of the competition leading up to the event. "We really toned down the trash talk against the press team this year because the press is under enough stress," Castor said.

Davids commented on the final margin relative to the on-field action. "The score … I felt like didn’t reflect how competitive the game was, but I thought we played a great game and it was for a great cause," Davids said. The press team has won 11 of the last 16 games. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash. Is the first pediatrician to serve in Congress.

Why It Matters

The Young Survival Coalition is an international organization focusing on young adults diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and under. The group was founded in 1998 by three young women with breast cancer. Since the game began in 2009, it has raised more than $5.8 million for the Young Survival Coalition. This annual event represents a sustained fundraising effort for the nonprofit.

Timeline

Last year's game was cut short in the bottom of the fourth inning due to lightning. On September 22, 2026, Sen. Moore Capito, R-W.Va. Said, "I’m looking forward to tomorrow night’s game and am confident my colleagues from the Hill will be ready to bring home a win." Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla. pitched for Team Congress. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-N.D. said, "They have some legitimately good players, the press — and they’re probably on average 15 years younger than us." The game was held at Audi Field.

What's New

Emily Goodin is the captain of the Bad News Babes. Goodin said, "The softball game is one of the few bipartisan activities left in the Washington." She also said, "Beat cancer, beat Congress!" Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla. made a comment containing profanity regarding the expected outcome for charity. Goodin said, "Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle team up to take on the press. And we all join in on the common cause of beating breast cancer." Sen. Moore Capito, R-W.Va. Said, "As a team captain, it’s always a lot of fun to lead my team in some friendly competition with members of the press." Capito also said, "I’m looking forward to tomorrow night’s game and am confident my colleagues from the Hill will be ready to bring home a win."

Kat Cammack said: "The press will probably report it as ‘mostly peaceful,’ but make no mistake. … It’s going to be an ass-whooping. For charity, of course."