Gabby Giffords will throw out first pitch at congressional softball game

WASHINGTON, June 18 (UPI) -- Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will toss out the ceremonial first pitch at the sixth annual Congressional Women's Softball Game Wednesday night.

The game pits female members of Congress from both parties against women from the Capitol Hill press corps, and benefits the Young Survival Coalition, an organization that provides support to young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Members captain, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., said she was "thrilled" to welcome back her friend Giffords, who left Congress after she was shot in the head at an event in her district in 2011.

"I have played a lot of catch in my years of playing softball, but catching Gabby's first pitch will be the best snag ever!" Wasserman Schultz said.

Giffords, along with her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, are also scheduled to speak at a forum Wednesday afternoon to discuss ways Congress can help protect women from gun violence.

Members have come away victorious against the press in just one of the five games played so far, but Giffords said she hopes her pitch will "set the tone for the Members' team."

"I think I can confidently speak for all current and former female Members of Congress when I say 'Beat the Bad News Babes!'" she said.