    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [September 7, 2008]
    [Pages 1176-1177]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a White House Tee-Ball Game
    September 7, 2008

        Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tee-ball on the South Lawn.
    Laura and I are honored you are here, and we
    welcome the military families and players from all across the United
    States of America.
        We are really looking forward to seeing you all play, and it gives
    us a chance to thank your moms and dads for their sacrifice and service
    to the United States of America.
        I'm proud to be here with the honorary commissioner, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen.
    We are joined today with--by the Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates; General Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force; Chief Master Sergeant of
    the U.S. Air Force, Rod McKinley.
        We welcome Congressman Tom Davis.
    Welcome, Tom. Thanks for coming, and thanks for bringing
    Jeannemarie. Glad you all are
    here.
        What an honor it is to have Rascal Flatts not only play the national
    anthem, but entertain you at the picnic at the South Lawn after the
    game. Thank you guys for coming.
        I do want to thank the Dunbar High School Junior ROTC for carrying
    the flag. Welcome; thank you all for coming.
        Handling the first base coaching duties, former New York Yankee,
    Bernie Williams; third base,
    General Pete Pace.
        I'm about to--we don't actually throw out the first pitch here at
    the South Lawn. We have ball presenters: Ambassador Karen
    Hughes, who helped originate tee-ball at the
    White House 20 games ago, as well as the CEO and president of Little
    League International, Steve Keener.
        We are especially pleased to have two broadcast giants with us
    today--first, Tim McCarver, FOX; all-star
    catcher, 19--on the 1964 Cardinal World Series team; awesome guy. And
    with him, from FOX and Friends, Brian Kilmeade.
        I don't think we could have had a better broadcast team for this,
    the final game for tee-ball on the South Lawn. I do want to thank all
    the Little League staff members who have been working with us since
    2001: Lance Van Auken, Mac
    McGlothlin, and Katie [Kathie]*
    Rosenberg. Appreciate your steadfast
    support.
        And now, before we begin the game--I know anticipation is rising
    here--we will have the Little League Pledge. Are the players ready? You
    are ready? You repeat after me.

    [At this point, the pledge was recited.]

        Play ball!

    Note: The President spoke at 4 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Jeannemarie A. Devolites-Davis,
    wife of Rep. Thomas M. Davis III; Gen. Peter Pace, USMC (Ret.), former
    Chariman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; former Under Secretary of State for
    Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen P. Hughes; Lance Van Auken,
    senior communication executive, and Mac McGlothlin, maintenance
    supervisor, Little League International; and Kathie Rosenberg, who
    performed as Dugout, mascot of Little League International. The
    transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    September 8.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        *White House correction.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    [[Page 1177]]