A Memory Trip Back To The T-Ball Games At The White House 2001-2008

President George W. Bush welcomes players and their family members from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas, and the District 12 Little League Challengers from Williamsport, Pa., Sunday, July 24, 2005, at a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

Minnesota Twins baseball star Paul Molitor is introduced to the crowd Sunday, July 24, 2005, at a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House, where he participated as first base coach.

President George W. Bush listens to the National Anthem before a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House between the District 12 Little League Challengers from Williamsport, PA and the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas on Sunday July 24, 2005.

A player from the District 12 Little League Challengers from Williamsport, PA is helped to home plate by her buddy during a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday July 24, 2005.

A player from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas cheers after scoring a run during a game on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday July 24, 2005.

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush cheers on players during a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House between the District 12 Little League Challengers from Williamsport, PA and the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas on Sunday July 24, 2005.

President George W. Bush laughs with Major League Baseball Hall of Fame players Ozzie Smith and Paul Molitor and former umpire Steve Palermo while congratulating Challenger Tee Ball players after a game on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday July 24, 2005.

A player from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas, is welcomed as he crosses homeplate to score a run, Sunday, July 24, 2005, during a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

A player from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas cheers after scoring a run during a game on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday July 24, 2005.

A player from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas, heads for homeplate to score a run, Sunday, July 24, 2005, during a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

A player from the District 12 Little League Challengers of Williamsport, Pa., is given a high-five from baseball star and Tee Ball third base coach Ozzie Smith, Sunday, July 24, 2005, during a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House

A player from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas, prepares to hit the ball, Sunday, July 24, 2005, during a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

A young ballplayer from the District 12 Little League Challengers of Williamsport, Pa., works the outfield Sunday, July 24, 2005, at a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

A young ballplayer from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas, cheers with her team Sunday, July 24, 2005, at a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

A player from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas, prepares to hit the ball, Sunday, July 24, 2005, during a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

A young ballplayer from the District 12 Little League Challengers of Williamsport, Pa., works the outfield Sunday, July 24, 2005, at a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

A young ballplayer from the West University Little League Challengers from Houston, Texas, cheers with her team Sunday, July 24, 2005, at a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn of the White House.

Tee-Ball 2006

President George W. Bush welcomes players and guests to the White House Sunday, July 30, 2006, for the Tee Ball on the South Lawn game between the Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers of Thurmont, Md., and the Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves of Shady Spring, W. Va.

President George W. Bush and Laura Bush are joined by baseball legend and hall of famer Willie Mays, Tee Ball Commissioner for the day Sunday, July 30, 2006, at the Tee Ball on the South Lawn game between the Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers of Thurmont, Md., and the Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves of Shady Spring, W. Va.

A member of the Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers of Thurmont, Md., is applauded by third base coach Dan Wilson as he slides into third base Sunday, July 30, 2006, at the White House Tee Ball on the South Lawn game against the Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves of Shady Spring W. Va.

A player for the Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers of Thurmont, Md., is accompanied to first base by a South Lawn buddy Sunday, July 30, 2006, at the White House Tee Ball on the South Lawn game against the Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves of Shady Spring W. Va.

A player for the Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves of Shady Spring W. Va., is helped around the bases Sunday, July 30, 2006, at the White House Tee Ball on the South Lawn game against the Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers of Thurmont, Md.

Baseball legend and hall of famer Willie Mays walks with President George W. Bush as he acknowledges a standing ovation from the crowd Sunday, July 30, 2006, upon their arrival for the Tee Ball on the South Lawn game between the Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers of Thurmont, Md., and the Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves of Shady Spring, W. Va. Mays was the honorary Tee Ball Commissioner for the game.

President George W. Bush autographs baseballs for players and guests at the White House Sunday, July 30, 2006, during the Tee Ball on the South Lawn game between the Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers of Thurmont, Md., and the Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves of Shady Spring, W. Va.

President George W. Bush embraces a South Lawn buddy volunteer Sunday, July 30, 2006, on the South Lawn of the White House at the conclusion of the Tee Ball on the South Lawn game between the Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers of Thurmont, Md., and the Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves of Shady Spring, W. Va.

Tee Ball 2007

President George W. Bush is joined for the singing of the national anthem by Meredith Cripe, a member of the Chantilly, Virginia Little League Challenger League, at the top of the first White House Tee Ball Game of the 2007 season. The game pitted the Bobcats from Cumberland, Maryland, against the Red Wings of Luray, Virginia.

Members of the Luray, Virginia Red Wings hold their caps over their hearts during the playing of the national anthem Wednesday, June 27, 2007, prior to the start of the 2007 White House Tee Ball opener against the Bobcats of Cumberland, Maryland.

Under the watchful eye of Meredith Cripe, a member of the Chantilly, Virginia Little League Challenger League, President George W. Bush places a ball on the tee to start the game and the 2007 White House Tee Ball Season on the South Lawn. The game pitted the Bobcats from Cumberland, Maryland, against the Red Wings of Luray, Virginia.

Members of the Luray, Virginia Red Wings watch from the bench Wednesday, June 27, 2007, during the first White House Tee Ball Game of the 2007 season as they go against the Bobcats from Cumberland, Maryland, on the South Lawn of the White House.

The tongue is out as the swing is swung during an at bats for a Bobcat from Cumberland, Maryland Wednesday, June 27, 2007, against the Luray, Virginia Red Wings on the South Lawn. The game marked the opening of the 2007 White House Tee Ball season.

Dugout, the Little League mascot, celebrates the opening of the 2007 White House Tee Ball season Wednesday, June 27, 2007, during the opening game between the Luray, Virginia Red Wings and the Bobcats from Cumberland, Maryland.

High-fives abound between the Luray, Virginia Bobcats and the Cumberland, Maryland Red Wings after the opening game of the 2007 White House Tee Ball season Wednesday, June 27, 2007, on the South Lawn.

Members of the Cumberland, Maryland Bobcats look on during the presentation of game balls Wednesday, June 27, 2007, after their opening game of the 2007 White House Tee Ball season against the Luray, Virginia Red Wings on the South Lawn.

It's safe at first for a Cumberland Bobcat as the Red Wings' first baseman returns the ball to the catcher Wednesday, June 27, 2007, during the first game of the 2007 White House Tee Ball season on the South Lawn. The game pitted the Luray, Virginia team against the Cumberland, Maryland kids, and marked the seventh year of the President's White House Tee Ball Initiative.

President George W. Bush joins honorary tee ball commissioner and two-time Olympic gold medalist Michele Smith on the South Lawn sidelines of the 2007 White House Tee Ball season opener Wednesday, June 27, 2007. The game matched the Red Wings of Luray, Virginia against the Bobcats of Cumberland, Maryland.

President George W. Bush holds up a commemorative baseball jersey with Jackie Robinson's number 42 presented to him by players from Robinson's playing era at the White House Tee Ball Game Sunday, July 15, 2007. Tee Ball players wore the number 42 to celebrate the legacy of Jackie Robinson>

A player from the Inner City Little League of Brooklyn, N.Y. runs for first base after his hit against the Wrigley Little League Dodgers of Los Angeles Sunday, July 15, 2007 at the White House Tee Ball Game, in honor of legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson.

Hall of Fame baseball manager Tommy Lasorda urges on a player from the Wrigley Little League Dodgers of Los Angeles, as he runs for home against the Inner City Little League of Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday, July 15, 2007, during the White House Tee Ball Game celebrating the legacy of Jackie Robinson on the South Lawn of the White House. Brooklyn and Los Angeles represent the two home cities of Robinson’s team.

President George W. Bush, joined Baseball Hall of Fame player and honorary tee ball commissioner Frank Robinson, center, along with Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda and fellow legendary players, retire the number of baseball great Jackie Robinson at the White House Tee Ball Game Sunday, July 15, 2007, on the South Lawn of the White House. All players wore the number 42 to celebrate the legacy of Jackie Robinson.

The game is on between the Inner City Little League of Brooklyn, N.Y. and the Wrigley Little League Dodgers of Los Angeles, all wearing the number 42 in honor of Hall of Fame player Jackie Robinson, at the White House Tee Ball Game on the South Lawn of the White House Sunday, July 15, 2007. Brooklyn and Los Angeles represent the two home cities of Robinson's team.

Players from the Inner City Little League of Brooklyn, N.Y. give a group hug to Dugout, the Little League mascot Sunday, July 15, 2007 at the White House Tee Ball Game, played in honor of baseball legend Jackie Robinson between Inner City and the Wrigley Little League Dodgers of Los Angeles.

An excited member of the Wrigley Little League Dodgers of Los Angeles shows off his Presidential autographed baseball following their game against the Inner City Little League of Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday, July 15, 2007, at the White House Tee Ball Game celebrating the legacy of Jackie Robinson on the South Lawn of the White House. Brooklyn and Los Angeles represent the two home cities of Robinson’s team.

Tee-Ball 2008

President George W. Bush is joined during the playing of the National Anthem by Roberto Clemente Jr., left, son of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente; Angel Macias, who in 1957 became the only player to pitch a perfect game in Little League World Series history, and actor Jake T. Austin, right, who will portray Macias in an upcoming film about that game, seen together Monday, June 30, 2008, at Tee Ball on the South Lawn at the White House.

A player for the Cramer Hill Little League Rex Sox of Camden, N.J. hits the ball during the season opening game of the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn Monday, June 30, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House playing against the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels of Manatí, Puerto Rico.

President George W. Bush poses for a photo with a fan in the stands Monday, June 30, 2008, during the opening game of the 2008 Tee Ball season between the Cramer Hill Little League Red Sox of Camden, N.J., and the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels of Manatí, Puerto Rico, on the South Lawn of the White House.

A player with the Cramer Hill Little League Red Sox of Camden, N.J., is the center of media attention on the South Lawn of the White House after playing Monday, June 30, 2008, in the opening game of the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn, with his teammates against the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels of Manatí, Puerto Rico.

Players of the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels of Manatí, Puerto Rico, all look over toward President George W. Bush as he welcomes everyone to the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn Season Opener Monday, June 30, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House.

Players of the Cramer Hill Little League Red Sox of Camden, New Jersey hold their hats over their hearts during the singing of the National Anthem at the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn Season Opener Monday, June 30, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House.

The first baseman of the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels from Manatí, Puerto Rico reaches up to catch the ball during the season opener of the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn Monday, June 30, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House.

A player of the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels from Manatí, Puerto Rico hits the ball during the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn Season Opener Monday, June 30, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez coaches a player on third base of the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels of Manatí, Puerto Rico, during the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn Season Opener Monday, June 30, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House.

President George W. Bush presents Angel Tavarez, of the Cramer Hill Little League Red Sox from Camden, New Jersey, with a baseball Monday, June 30, 2008, following the opening game of the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn. President Bush is joined on the field by Roberto Clemente, Jr. and Dugout, the Little League mascot.

Teams participating in the opening game of the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn, the Cramer Hill Little League Red Sox of Camden, N.J., and the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels of Manatí, Puerto Rico, pose together Monday, June 30, 2008, for a photo on the South Lawn of the White House.

A view from the outfield on the South Lawn of the White House shows the opening game of the the 2008 Tee Ball season in action Monday, June 30, 2008, between the Cramer Hill Little league Red Sox of Camden, N.J., and the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels of Manatí, Puerto Rico.

Players of the Jose M. Rodriguez Little League Angels of Manatí, Puerto Rico, jubilate at the conclusion the 2008 Tee Ball on the South Lawn Season Opener Monday, June 30, 2008, on the South Lawn of the White House.

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