[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 28 (Monday, July 21, 2008)]
[Page 1000]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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--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.
    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.