On Sunday, Congressman Joseph Morelle (25th District), wearing a St. Louis Cardinals jacket, his beloved team, dropped by the softball game at the Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton. The next stop was the adjacent Brighton Farmer’s Market for food, music and conviviality.
For several years Congressman Morelle, an avid baseball/softball fan, wanted to see the Game at the Corners. (FULL SERIES AT END) Finally, at the 2022 Memorial Day event at Buckland Park in Brighton, we solidified the visit.
In Brighton Town Council Member Jason DiPonzio shows his stuff at the first pitch at the Game at the Corners. unofficial commissioner David Esan gives the history of the game:
The game has its roots in pick up games played over 40 years ago at the Hillel School. As families grew, the game disappeared. It started again 23 years ago. The theme is to have fun, and hopefully to pass the love of softball to a younger generation. All are welcome to join us. Games are Sunday at 9:30am in the Twelve Corners Middle School field. The season runs from early May to Labor Day
Joe answered a few questions
Talker: On your twitter page, you declare yourself a “baseball enthusiast.” Can you elaborate?
Joe:
Talker: I know you wanted to throw out the first pitch at the Game at the Corners but hurt your wrist, landing on the D.L. (Disabled List). What happened and how are you doing?
Joe:
Talker: Can you recap your softball/baseball playing career? [Don’t mention the congressional baseball game in this question]

4/1/21 Joe throwing out the first pitch at Irondequoit Little League!. “Today is Major League Baseball Opening Day, one of my favorite days of the year! Can’t wait to play catch and watch a ball game soon—and root on some of my favorite teams like Rochester Red Wings, St. Louis Cardinals, and of course, Irondequoit Little League!” (Joe’s facebook page)
Joe:
Talker: Perhaps the highlight of your career is the annual Congressional Baseball game. On September 29th, 2021, In “We Polled Members Of Congress … About Baseball,” Five Thirty Eight featured you, including some strong opinions on what baseball should be. Tell us about the CBG experience.
How did the RIT team help you prepare? In 2021 a Joe Morelle baseball card was made. What’s on the back side?

(left) June 7th, 2019. “Thanks to RIT Baseball Coach Rob Grow and stars Joe and Pat Mylott for a great session in the batting cages as they help get me ready for the Congressional Baseball Game later this month! I’m a little rusty, but if anyone can whip me into shape it’s you guys!” (from Joe’s facebook page); (right) 2021 Congressional Baseball card.
Joe:

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY) during the annual Congressional Baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, U.S., July 28, 2022. REUTERS/Michael A. McCoy
Talker: You threw out the first pitch for the 2022 Rochester Hispanic Youth Baseball League. Tell us a little about the RHYBL. How did the pitch go?

Joe throws out the first pitch at Opening Day of the 2022 season of the Rochester Hispanic Youth Baseball League. [From Joe’s facebook page]
Talker: Who are or have been some of your favorite Rochester Red Wings? How often are you able to attend games at Frontier Field?
Joe:
Talker: You are a diehard St. Louis Cardinal fan. When and how did you become the team’s fan? How many games have you seen in person? Where do Ozzie Smith and Lou Brock fit within the pantheon of Cardinal stars?

(left) # 130 Ozzie Smith, Topps 40 Years of Baseball, 1991; (right) #1 Lou Brock, Most Stolen Bases , Lifetime ’77 Record Breaker, Topps 1978 [gift to Joe Morelle from David Kramer’s collection]
Talker: When were you last at the Brighton Farmer’s Marker? Pretty impressive, would you agree?
Joe:
2015 Game at the Corners
At Young Woman’s College Prep, Brad Rosenbaum aiming to hit 1.000
2016 Game at the Corners
Ball in creek disrupts Game at the Corners; Blake hits for the cycle
Celebrating the Fourth of July at the Game at the Corners. And much more.
“Crooked Arm” Brancato brings 19th Century base ball to the Game at the Corners
First Girls of Summer at the Game at the Corners; Talker wins it with three run walk off homerun
Farewell Boys and Girls of Summer! Under-40 MVP smashes 5 home runs off Over-40 MVP in Sunday finale
2017 Game at the Corners
2018 Game at the Corners
Brighton Town Councilmember Robin Wilt pitches in at the Game at the Corners
2020 Game at the Corners (almost)
2021 Game at the Corners
The Boys and Girls of Summer complete 22nd season of the Game at the Corners.
2022 Game at the Corners