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 Commissioner¹ 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 Jersey², the mighty³ 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.) Congressman⁴ 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 Scout⁵ 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 standing⁶ 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