    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [July 30, 2006]
    [Pages 1475-1476]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a White House Tee-Ball Game
    July 30, 2006

        Thank you very much. You know, as we listen to our national anthem,
    it reminds us how blessed we are to live in a land where our boys and
    girls can grow up in a peaceful world. And on today our hopes for peace
    for boys and girls everywhere extends across the world, especially in
    the Middle East. Today's actions in the Middle East remind us that the
    United States and friends and allies must work for a sustainable peace,
    particularly for the sake of children.
        And so I want to welcome you here to the White House. What an honor
    to be with the commissioner, Willie Mays.
    See, when I was growing up, I wanted to be the Willie Mays of my
    generation, but I couldn't hit a curve ball. So instead, I ended up
    being President.
        Laura and I welcome you here, along with the
    commissioner. It's a proud day for us to
    welcome--a little hot for baseball, but I know these teams are up for
    it. First, I want to welcome the Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers
    from Thurmont, Maryland. We're glad you all are here. We also want to
    welcome the mayor, Mayor Marty Burns of
    Thurmont. Welcome, Mr. Mayor. Thanks for coming. There he is. Marty used
    to work at Camp David, by the way.
        I also want to welcome the Challenger Braves from Shady Spring, West
    Virginia.
        We welcome both teams, the coaches, the helpers, and the families.
    We're glad you're here. We're lucky today to have not only one Major
    Leaguer but three Major Leaguers with us--coaching first base, the
    lefty, Al Leiter; welcome, Al--at third base, Dan
    Wilson. Glad you're here, Dan. Thanks for coming.
    Proud you're here.
        We welcome Steve Keener, who is the
    president and CEO of Little League International. We want to thank the
    Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital who carried the colors. I
    want to thank Nichola Kouzes, who sang the
    national anthem. Nichola, you did a fabulous job here on the South Lawn.
    Thank you. She did a good job, didn't she? Not only a good job but a
    great job.
        We're lucky today to have an old hand at calling this game, the
    former announcer of the Washington Senators, Charlie Brotman. Welcome, Charlie. Glad you're here. Thanks for
    coming. Glad you're here.

    [[Page 1476]]

        And finally, we have a tradition here, and that is, we actually
    don't throw out the first ball; we actually put the first ball on the
    tee. And joining me today is Kevin Turley. He's
    a Special Olympics gold medalist. Kevin, thanks for coming. Thank you
    for being a part of this.
        You ready? Everybody ready? And right before we play ball, we'll
    give the Little League Pledge. Ready for the pledge?

    [At this point, the pledge was recited.]

        Play ball.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:45 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to White House Tee-Ball Commissioner
    Willie Mays. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on July 31.