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Save the date: Illinois vs. Missouri legislative softball game is June 14th

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* Yours truly will be announcing the game at Busch Stadium when the Illinois side bats…

WHAT: First Annual Bi-State Softball Showdown - Missouri Legislators vs. Illinois Legislators Softball Game at Busch Stadium
WHEN: Thursday, June 14, 2018
TIME: 1:00 p.m. first pitch; broadcast winners and interviews in Media Room at 2:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Busch Stadium, 700 Clark Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63102

Join Missouri and Illinois Legislators for the First Annual Bi-State Softball Showdown Game at Busch Stadium, where legislators from both sides of the river and across party lines will be competing for bragging rights – all in the spirit of bi-state regional cooperation. The bipartisan event is sponsored by the St. Louis Regional Chamber.

Members of the media will have the opportunity to interview team captains Missouri Representative Elijah Haarh (R-District 134), Speaker Pro Tem, and Illinois Senator Bill Cunningham (D-District 18) after the game, as well as St. Louis Regional Chamber President & CEO Tom Chulick and other members of the Missouri and Illinois teams. See the attached Missouri and Illinois rosters for the team members.

The St. Louis Regional Chamber is the region’s principal business advocacy organization, championing forward-thinking economic policies in Illinois, Missouri and Washington D.C. The Chamber represents the St. Louis business community in both Missouri and Illinois across 15 counties and the City of St. Louis. The Chamber’s First Annual Bi-State Softball Showdown was organized to encourage regional understanding and cooperation among legislators to help St. Louis area economic growth and development.

* The Illinois roster…

The Missouri roster, if you care, is here.

* They’ll be playing with a 12-inch softball instead of the Chicago-style 16-inch, so the other side of the river will definitely have an advantage. Some of the Illinois players will have to buy gloves for the first time.

The idea is to hold another game next year in Chicago with a 16-inch ball, but we’ll see if that actually happens.

* And I was just told that we “can’t say anything inappropriate” over the stadium’s PA system, so I guess quoting the late, great Sen. Adeline Geo-Karis’ infamous admonition to players is out of the question.

…Adding… I’m told Rep. Ryan Spain is playing as well, and maybe a few others who are not yet confirmed. And Rep. Avery Bourne is definitely not a Senator.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:29 pm

Comments

Can we get Brockmire to call the game?

Comment by City Zen Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:34 pm
Who will sing the National Anthem?

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:36 pm
Is there a trophy like the Ole’ Broken Toilet?

Comment by Grand Avenue Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:36 pm
–Is there a trophy like the Ole’ Broken Toilet?–

The Greitens Memorial Roll O’ Duct Tape.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:38 pm
Greitens umping.

Comment by Small Lebowski Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:40 pm
Avery Bourne is in the Senate now?

Comment by Juice Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:44 pm
Congrats to Sen. Bourne! The state needed a 60th senator.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:49 pm
The trophy should be made from melted copper doors.

Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:50 pm
You can’t call an event the “first annual” because it doesn’t become annual until there’s a second one. It would be cool if it became annual, but clearly nobody from LRB was consulted about the text of this promotional material — I’m sure they would have caught that.

Comment by Baker's Dozen Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 12:57 pm
Inaugural is the correct term rather than First Annual

Comment by Grand Avenue Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:02 pm
===Yours truly will be announcing the game at Busch Stadium ===

Wow (multiple exclamation marks)

Huge.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:03 pm
===Inaugural is the correct term===

That’s all you got? This isn’t Facebook.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:08 pm
Oh, no - MO has term limits: that means all their legislators are bound to be younger than ours! Will our experience offset their youth? What’s that quote about age & guile bearing youth & exuberance? We’re gonna need it …

Comment by Johnny Tractor Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:08 pm
I assume buying mitts for the first time is related to the different size softball? Like they bought a “X” sized mitt for the first time? At first reading I took it to mean that a legislator who had never bought a mitt before had decided to play in Busch stadium for the first time, which is an amusing thought.

Comment by Perrid Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:17 pm
Sen. Napoleon Harris is a former NFL player, so that will help our state’s team.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:24 pm
===I assume buying mitts for the first time===

16″ softball is not played with mitts, gloves or any other protection. You use your hands, the way God intended. Broken fingers are just the price you pay for the joy of playing the game.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:26 pm
Deluca is a hell of an athlete. But the real fun would be seeing Bobby Rita run the bases.

Comment by Southside Markie Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:26 pm
Welch played baseball at Northwestern, also going to help.

But Pumpkinhead is probably going to be so giddy living out what I imagine must be a dream come true he’ll probably commit 5 errors.

Comment by Juice Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:33 pm
I guess Bourne did take on Manar and won after all.

Comment by LOL Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 1:57 pm
===That’s all you got? This isn’t Facebook===

I learned that from the Dan McNeil school of broadcast journalism

Comment by Grand Avenue Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 2:16 pm
If the Missouri game is being played at Busch, which Ball Park will the Illinois game be played… or should I just wait for the first game to be played, then…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 3:03 pm
Geo passed away a decade ago. Time flies.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 3:14 pm
Is it free to the public or is there a ticket price?
Where can I get tickets?

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 4:01 pm
Sorry finally found it
30$ a ticket and open bar (all caps and exclamation point)
Free concessions
50$ for awards reception

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 8, 18 @ 4:15 pm