    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [July 16, 2008]
    [Pages 1031-1032]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a White House Tee-Ball Game
    July 16, 2008

        Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this historic occasion. The
    commissioner and I--that would be Frank
    Robinson, the Hall of Fame--[applause]--welcome you for the first all-
    star game here on the South Lawn of the White House.
        We've got 50 players from 50 States, plus the District of Columbia,
    who have shown--come to show off their great baseball skills. And we're
    excited you're here. We welcome you; we welcome your families.
        We want to thank Kenny Chesney for lending
    his great talent. We're proud you're here, Kenny. Thanks for coming.
        I do want to welcome our
    baseball coaches
    today. We've got four fabulous coaches who've
    agreed to come: Ryne Sandberg, Hall of Famer--he's kind of pulling for
    the Cubs this year; John Smoltz of the Atlanta Braves. Our second game
    coaches: from the Baltimore Orioles, Kevin Millar--he'll be--here he is;
    and finally, two-time All-Star, Rick Monday. There he is. Hi, Rick.
    Thanks for coming.
        I do want to welcome our announcers today, Mike and Mike. Yes, sir! Mike Golic
    and Mike Greenberg, we're proud you guys are here. We expect them to
    call a good game.

    [[Page 1032]]

        I do want to say that a member of my Cabinet, Carlos
    Gutierrez, has joined us. Mr. Secretary,
    thank you for coming.
        And finally, Mr. Commissioner, we are so
    lucky to have Shelby Shayler with us today.
    She will be presenting you and I with the first ball, but not quite yet.
    Before we do, we're going to recite the Little League oath.
        Are the players ready? All right, here we go.

    [At this point, the pledge was recited.]

        Play ball!

    Note: The President spoke at 3:37 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to entertainer Kenny Chesney, who
    sang the national anthem; ESPN radio talk show hosts Mike Golic and Mike
    Greenberg; and Shelby Shayler, member, Naval Air Station Little League,
    Norfolk, VA.