Steve Scalise Shooting Prompts Quick Sale Of Tickets At 2017 Congressional Baseball Game

The annual congressional baseball game Thursday which gained significance after Wednesday's shooting that left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise critically injured saw a huge rise in the ticket sales. About 24,959 tickets were sold — marking a record for the game that was first played in 1909, reports said.

The game, where Democrats easily defeated Republicans 11-2, usually is a fierce competition, however, this year the focus turned to showing unity in the aftermath of the shooting, CNN reported.

The ticket sales for the game rose steadily since the shooting Wednesday at the Republican baseball practice, reports said quoting organizers. Five people including Scalise were injured in the incident.

Read: Who's To Blame For Steve Scalise Shooting?

Organizers said since the shooting, tickets had been selling out at a rate of 500 per hour. They had previously expected to raise around $650,000 but upon seeing the spike in the sale of tickets, they were expecting to raise close to $1 million, according to Washington Examiner.

General admission tickets were priced at $10, while reserved tickets for the Republican or Democrat sides were priced at $15. The proceeds from the sale of tickets would 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, according to the website of a congressional baseball game.

The game is being played since 1909 and members usually sport the uniform of their home states and districts, and although proportional representation is not required, elected officials of many states take part in the game.

President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser, Ivanka Trump was spotted walking on the field Thursday and chatting with lawmakers from both the parties, according to reporters in attendance at Nationals Park in D.C. "It's great to be out here to support everyone who came," she told the Hill.

Alex Moe, NBC News Capitol Hill producer tweeted a photograph of Ivanka after she was spotted on the field.

Rachael Bade, Politico Congress reporter tweeted a photograph of Ivanka at the congressional baseball game in the dugout with the members.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Wednesday that the president would not be able to attend the game as there was not enough time to follow Secret Service protocols. "In Washington, we have our disagreements, but we all agree that we are here to serve this nation we love and the people who call it home. That's the source of unity," Trump said in a recorded video message for the game Thursday night.

Read: Democrats, Republicans Receive Death Threats After Steve Scalise Shooting

Meanwhile, spectators who had arrived to watch the game said they were praying for Wednesday's victims.

“I’m a Democrat and this is a fun game to come to,” Time reported citing Jared Weaver, who had brought both his daughters to the game. “I think it’s great they decided to keep the game going. It was a horrible tragedy and I hope the victims come out fine. But I think it’s great for everyone to come together to celebrate this game and have fun," he added.

Dennis Pritchett, a civil engineer, arrived at the game wearing a polo Tshirt bearing the American flag and a picture of a bald eagle emblazoned on the front. “After what happened yesterday, I just wanted to show my solidarity," Pritchett said.