"President George W. Bush (news - web sites) arrives to cheers at a tee ball game on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington July 11, 2004. REUTERS/Shaun Heasley "
Posted on 07/11/2004 3:49:13 PM PDT by BenLurkin
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush led youngsters in the Little League pledge on a muggy Sunday as the second game of the White House T-ball season began on the South Lawn. The temperature was 86 degrees with barely a breeze to cool fans or players - this time mentally and physically disabled children from Delaware and Pennsylvania. Part of the Little League's Challenger Division, the players, including a few who rounded the bases in wheelchairs, were accompanied on the field by "buddies," who are not disabled.
The president and first lady Laura Bush watched from the bleachers, which were set up in the shade. The Marine Band, seated in a shaded area behind left field, played "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." But the players batted and fielded the ball under an oppressive afternoon sun.
Michael Andrews, a 14-year-old from Ephrata, Pa., in Lancaster County, created a bit of excitement when he blasted the ball up the middle of the field and took off running to first.
"There you go!" shouted the play-by-play announcer, Matt Winer of ESPN.
But then Winer labeled it an "unlucky" hit. The ball stopped when it rolled into the webbing of a glove that had been left lying in the field. Andrews had to stop at first base.
"I think Michael may have been robbed of extra bases," Winer said.
This is the fourth year of White House T-ball, which Bush launched to promote interest in baseball and foster a spirit of teamwork and service. Sunday's game was played between the Challenger Phillies of M.O.T. Little League in Middletown, Del., and the Challenger Yankees of Lancaster County Little Leagues in Pennsylvania,
It's all for fun. Nobody keeps score. All players get a chance to hit the ball, which is placed on a tee at home plate.
After the game, Bush's T-ball Commissioner, former Orioles player Cal Ripkin Jr., helped the president present each player with a baseball signed by Bush.
What did slugger Andrews say to the president?
"Lots of things," he said.
What did the president tell Andrews?
"Good hit," the boy said shyly before he joined his teammates for refreshments.
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How can you say that?
This evil man forced disabled children to play in the sun in 83 degree temperature while the privileged sat on bleachers in the shade.
He should be impeached not praised.
I guess it's not nice to ask if sKerry/Edwards got to play.
Bush is a great president.
But notice how the reporter emphasizes how the President and the Marine Band were in the shade, while the Little Leaguers were out in the blazing sun.
Of course, no players were out there that long, but the impression is that the kids were denied shade.
Bah! I am sick of the media!
Wow, I didn't even notice that. But now that you point it out . . wow!
The media are rats!
Bttt.
Bush: White House T-ball games for children.
Clinton: White House Hide-the-Cigar games with someone young enough to be his daughter.
Enough said.
"President George W. Bush (news - web sites) arrives to cheers at a tee ball game on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington July 11, 2004. REUTERS/Shaun Heasley "
Bush is a great man AND a great president.
If John Edwards had been there, he'd have been too busy planning new lawsuits (on behalf of the unfortunate handicapped children, of course) to bother watching the game.
Heh heh heh, yes that's true.
Nice pic :)
Cal Rifkin is a class act. On a show about real heros, he flew at his own expense to attend the celebration of a handicaped kid's heroism. He had been asked to be filmed, for later presentation to the kid, and would hear none of it. He attended.
He then invited the kid and his enterage to attend his baseball camp for free.
In the interest of transparent reporting, this was an Oprah Winfrey show.
"Bush is a great man AND a great president."
He's EVERYTHING you've indicated AND a 'snappy' dresser (as my grandmama would say) -- love the shirt!!
Really, did any of this kind of stuff ever happen in the Clinton WH?
No kidding, an honest question.
He looks great in that shirt...
The media can't hide for ever that Bush is an amazing human being who cares for people. He's not perfect by any means but tough when he needs to be and compassionate when he needs to be. I really hope that the liberal ABB's don't succeed in tearing him down by any means possible and prevent him from his well-deserved second term. I'm amazed that he even wants a second term because of the hell he's been through with the 2000 election, 9/11, Afghanistan/Iraq, and total Democrat hatred. He could easily retire to his ranch and live the easy life. I'm sure Laura wouldn't mind that rather than seeing him torn down daily by the liberal 'elite'. It's death by a thousand cuts for the wife and children. God help them and Bush through to the election.
A challenged football player. Challenged in many ways......
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