    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 30, 2008]
    [Pages 892-894]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at Opening Day of 2008 White House Tee-Ball
    June 30, 2008

        The President. Menudo, thank you. Yes, we're glad you're here.
    Opening day 2008, tee-ball on the South Lawn. I'm proud to be joined by
    the commissioner for the day, Roberto
    Clemente, Jr. Bienvenido.
        Roberto Clemente, Jr. Gracias,
    gracias.
        The President. Si. Roberto, I
    don't know if you know this or not, but we've got a special right field
    porch this year. This is an addition--we might just call that Clemente
    porch. After all, we did retire your dad's number this year.
        Mr. Clemente. Thank you.

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        The President. I'm so proud to welcome, from Manati, Puerto Rico,
    the Little Angels. We're glad you're here; and from Camden, New Jersey,
    the mighty Red Sox; first base coach, Jose
    Rijo--he could deliver that fast ball in the best of times--now with the
    Washington Nationals. Third base coach, Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce; Carlos, glad you're here.
    Congressman Rob Andrews--Congressman,
    thanks for coming. We're sure proud you're here.
        Today we're very lucky to have our game called by Natalie
    Morales.
        Natalie Morales. Thank you.
        The President. Natalie, bienvenidos. Thank you for coming.
        Ms. Morales. Gracias.
        The President. Natalie happens to work
    for NBC's ``Today'' show. We really appreciate you coming.
        Ms. Morales. That's right. Thank you,
    sir, for having me.
        The President. No problem.
        Boy Scout Troop 457 from Rockville, Maryland, is with us today.
    Thanks for coming. Steve Keener, president
    of Little League America, we're glad you're here, Steve. Thanks for
    coming back. Appreciate you supporting baseball throughout America.
        Laura and I are thrilled also to be joined
    today by our first pitch kind of semi-thrower-outers. [Laughter] Angel
    Macias is with us. For those of you who follow
    Little League baseball, you might remember, in 1957, es verdad?
        Angel Macias. Right.
        The President. Si. He threw a perfect game
    for Monterrey, Mexico, in the Little League World Series, and Mexico
    went on to win the world series. And we're so glad you're here. Welcome
    to the White House.
        And standing with you is Jake T. Austin,
    who happens--who's going to be playing Angel in the movie----
        Jake T. Austin. Yes, I play Angel Macias
    in the movie.
        The President. And what's the movie?
        Mr. Austin. The movie is called ``The
    Perfect Game,'' and it's coming out in 2008, this year.
        The President. ----2008, yes. You probably recommend we all go see
    it.
        Mr. Austin. We'd greatly appreciate it.
    [Laughter]
        The President. Yes. Well, Laura was
    suggesting, Jake T., that we actually have a
    showing here at the White House.
        Mr. Austin. Great.
        The President. Yes, see, he's for that.
        Before we get started, I do want the players to join me in the
    Little League Pledge. Are you ready?

    [At this point, the pledge was recited.]

        Play ball!

    Note: The President spoke at 3:23 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to entertainers Menudo, who sang the
    national anthem; sports broadcaster Roberto Clemente, Jr.; and Jose
    Rijo, special assistant to the general manager, Washington Nationals.
    The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.

    [[Page 894]]