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President Bush Attends White House Tee Ball Game on South Lawn
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary June 30, 2008

President Bush Attends White House Tee Ball Game on South Lawn South Lawn

˙ /news/releases/2008/06/20080630-10.wm.v.html ˙˙Presidential Remarks
˙˙Audio

˙˙˙˙˙ Tee Ball 2008

3:23 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Menudo, thank you. Yes, we're glad you're here. Opening Day
2008, tee ball on the South Lawn. (Applause.) I'm proud to be joined by the
Commissioner for the day, Roberto Clemente, Jr. Bienvenido. (Applause.)

MR. CLEMENTE: 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.
(Applause.) We're glad you're here. And from Camden, New Jersey, the mighty
Red Sox. (Applause.) First base coach, Jose Rijo. (Applause.) 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. (Applause.) 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,
bienvenido. Thank you for coming.

MS. MORALES: Gracias.

THE PRESIDENT: Natalie happens to work for NBC's Today Show. We really
appreciate you coming.

MS. MORALES: Thank you, sir, for having me.

THE PRESIDENT: No problem.

Boy Scout Troop 457 from Rockville, Maryland, is with us today. Thanks for
coming. (Applause.) Steve Keener, President of Little League 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?

MR. 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 AUSTIN: Yes, I play Angel Macias in the movie.

THE PRESIDENT: And what's the movie?

JAKE 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.

JAKE AUSTIN: We'd really appreciate it. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Well, Laura was suggesting, Jake T., that we actually
have a showing here at the White House.

JAKE 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?

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.

Play ball! (Applause.)

END 3:27 P.M. EDT

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