    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 5, 2002]
    [Pages 720-721]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at Opening Day of 2002 White House Tee-Ball
    May 5, 2002

        Well, Shalim, thank you very much for singing the
    national anthem. Welcome to baseball at the White House. We're glad you
    all are here.
        I want to thank the commissioner of tee-ball at the White House this
    year, one of the alltime great baseball players, one of the alltime
    great men, Mr. Cal Ripken.
        I want to--I want to welcome the teams that are going to play today
    on the opening day of the 2002 season. The Uniondale Little League
    Sluggers and all their moms and dads and the coaches--thank you all very
    much. And as well, we want to thank the 6 and 11 Little League Sluggers
    from Trenton, New Jersey. And I want to thank your moms and dads for
    coming too. Welcome.
        We've also got some really fine former baseball players with us--
    Tony Perez, Mr. Hall of Fame. As well, we've got
    ``Cha Cha'' Orlando Cepeda.
        I want to thank the other coach on the field, a member of my
    Cabinet, Senor Mel Martinez.
        Erubiel Durazo, from the world champion
    Arizona Diamondbacks, is with us today as well. Erubiel, mucho gusto.
        As well, there's a great new movie out called ``The Rookie.'' He
    is--this guy's a Texan. He's a great story. I hope you go see the movie.
    But the man who Dennis Quaid plays in the movie
    is with us today, the actual baseball player, Jim Morris. Thank you for coming, Jim.
        As well, a former Texas Ranger, Billy
    Ripken--where are you, Billy? Hi, Billy.
        I do want to thank our announcers, Ron Eisen
    and Alvaro Martin, for being here with us.
    Thank you guys very much for coming.
        This guy doesn't play baseball, but he is a Washington Redskins
    star, ``Big Daddy'' Wilkinson.
    Thank you for coming. Welcome.
        And now, before we begin, I'd like for the players to join me in
    reciting the Little League pledge. Are you ready?
        ``I trust in God. I love my country and will respect its laws. I
    will play fair and strive to win. But win or lose, I will always do my
    best.''
        Are you ready?
        And now, it is my honor to put the first ball on the tee to kick off
    tee-ball at the White House.

    [The President placed the ball on the tee.]

        Play ball!

    Note: The President spoke at 3:27 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to entertainer Shalim; ESPN
    announcers Rich Eisen and Alvaro

    [[Page 721]]

    Martin; and Dan ``Big Daddy'' Wilkinson, defensive tackle, Washington
    Redskins.