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Skriven 2005-06-26 23:33:10 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0506261) for Sun, 2005 Jun 26
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Fact Sheet: White House South Lawn Tee Ball
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 26, 2005

Fact Sheet: White House South Lawn Tee Ball

President's Remarks
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White House South Lawn Tee Ball
June 26, 2005 - 4:00 p.m.

Jackie Robinson South Ward Little League Black Yankees
Newark, New Jersey
VS.
South Side Little League Memphis Red Sox
Chicago, Illinois

Program Participants

Honorary Tee Ball Commissioner of the Game: Barry Larkin, Washington
Nationals
Play-by-Play Announcer: Fred Hickman, ESPN
Honorary First Base Coach: Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings
Honorary Third Base Coach: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,
Alphonso Jackson
National Anthem Singer: Aaron Lucas
Color Guard: The Young Marines

Game Ball Presenters: Reynard Prather and Darnika Cooper (from The Young
Marines)

Volunteer Recognition: The President recognizes Jeomera Ayala of Arlington,
Virginia. Jeomera Fuentes-Ayala arrived at Youth For Tomorrow, a
residential group village for at-risk youth (ages 11-17), in 2003. Youth
for Tomorrow combines rehabilitation, faith, academics, and loving care to
help youth gain the skills for future success. For the past
year-and-a-half, she has been a volunteer at The Barn, an organization that
provides support services and programs for homeless/battered women and
their dependent children. Once per week, she visits the facility to care
for children while their mothers take classes.

Commissioner: The Honorary Tee Ball Commissioner of the Game is Barry
Larkin. Mr. Larkin is a 12-time All-Star who spent his entire 19-year Major
League Baseball career as shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds. He now serves
as Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Washington Nationals.
During his playing career, he also hosted underprivileged children at Reds
games as part of his "Barry's Bunch" program.

Facts about the President's White House Tee Ball Initiative

President Bush launched his White House Tee Ball Initiative in 2001 to
promote interest in baseball and a spirit of teamwork and service for
America's youth. This is the fifth year of the President's White House Tee
Ball Initiative, and this is the second game of the 2005 season. Teams are
selected by Little League Baseball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and can
be nominated online at www.littleleague.org.

What is tee ball? Tee ball is the entry sport to baseball for young
players, generally four to eight years old. Tee ball develops the primary
baseball skills of hitting, running, fielding, and throwing and gives
children solid teamwork experience. Tee ball is played in every state and
territory and in dozens of countries around the world. Participation is
estimated at 2.2 million players - 65% boys and 35% girls. Members of two
teams take turns hitting a ball off a batting tee set on home plate.
Batters try to get on base and advance to home; fielders try to prevent
that from happening. The absence of pitching allows children to participate
without the fear of being hit by a pitched ball. The players gain an
understanding of the fundamental rules.

What is Helping America's Youth Initiative? This game will honor the
President's "Helping America's Youth" Initiative, bringing two teams from
the Little League Urban Initiative to play Tee Ball on the South Lawn. The
President and Mrs. Bush encourage every American to help children to avoid
trouble and lead more hopeful lives.

Research has shown that children are less likely to engage in risky
behaviors when they are connected to parents, family, school, community,
and faith. Faith-based, community, and volunteer organizations across the
nation are involved in efforts to reach at-risk youth and get them involved
in their communities. The Little League Urban Initiative, now in dozens of
American cities, is one of the programs working hard to accomplish these
goals.

Mrs. Bush has traveled around the country highlighting effective programs
that are helping children become successful adults. This fall, Mrs. Bush
will convene a Helping America's Youth conference to share ideas about what
works, as well as to recognize outstanding programs that are helping our
children.

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