[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 26 (Monday, July 7, 2008)]
[Pages 927-928]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.
    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, bienvenidos. Thank you for coming.
    Natalie 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

[[Page 928]]

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.