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Article snippet: WASHINGTON — As the majority whip in the House, Representative Steve Scalise is known among his Republican colleagues as a pleasant, persistent force, who gently checks back to see whether a lawmaker who has repeatedly said “nope, not with you” on a coming vote has had a change of heart. Back home in southern Louisiana, Mr. Scalise hangs his own Christmas lights on his modest house in suburban Jefferson while his security team idles nearby, pads around Sam’s Club with his honey-do list on Saturdays, and continues to knock on doors for votes, even though he has few challengers these days. In both places, Mr. Scalise is known for his passionate love of baseball and for the annual congressional baseball game, a Washington tradition in which Republicans play Democrats for charity. His office is decorated with photos of him playing in previous contests, and he is a fixture at practices. He was standing at second base during one of those practices on Wednesday outside Washington, one day before the game, when a gunman opened fire, wounding Mr. Scalise and at least three others, the authorities said. Witnesses said Mr. Scalise was shot in the hip and fell to the ground, then crawled toward outfield grass as more shots rang out. Mr. Scalise was taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he had surgery and was in critical condition, his aides said. “Steve loves and passionately looks forward to that Congressional Baseball Game,” said Jason Hebert, a Republican pol... Link to the full article to read more