The speaker lost 34 Republican votes on the bill, some of whom lambasted the speaker earlier in the week for playing ball with Democratic Party leadership on a budget extension.

As long as we’re playing loose, free, fearless and going out there and just playing ball and doing what we do, I think we’re at our best then.”

But it looks like Merz, who wants to be Germany's next chancellor as head of the Christian Democrats, is not playing ball.

Drafted in May 1952, he spent the next two seasons playing ball in khaki, then was discharged in March 1954, just in time to have the finest season of his career.

Boys in particular mentioned outdoor leisure spaces, such as playing ball in the backyard or walking the dog.