[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 36 (Monday, September 15, 2008)]
[Pages 1180-1181]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 1181]]

    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.
    * White House correction.
    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 Representative Tom Davis of Virginia; 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.