[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 19 (Monday, May 13, 2002)]
[Pages 748-749]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 749]]

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