July 30, 2006 – 2:45 p.m. ET

Thurmont Little League Civitan Club of Frederick Challengers
Thurmont, Maryland

VS.

Shady Spring Little League Challenger Braves
Shady Spring, West Virginia

Program Participants

Tee Ball Commissioner of the Game: Willie Mays, National Baseball Hall of Fame member; Former Major League Baseball Player
Play-by-Play Announcer: Charlie Brotman, Former Announcer for the Washington Senators Baseball Team; Inaugural Announcer since President Eishenhower’s Inauguration
Honorary First Base Coach: Al Leiter, Sports Announcer; Former Major League Baseball Player
Honorary Third Base Coach: Dan Wilson, Former Major League Baseball Player
National Anthem Singer: Nichola Kouzes, Colleyville, Texas
Color Guard: Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital
Game Ball Presenter: Kevin Turley, Seaton School, Washington, DC

Facts about the President's White House
Tee Ball Initiative

President Bush launched his White House Tee Ball Initiative to promote interest in baseball and a spirit of teamwork and service for America's youth. This is the sixth year of the President's White House Tee Ball Initiative, and this is the second game of the 2006 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, which allows minimally competitive league play at all age levels.

What is the Challenger League?
Little League’s Challenger division features teams of mentally and physically disabled children. This division serves the needs of disabled children by providing the learning experience of tee ball and the camaraderie of team sports. The players range in age from 5 to 18 years old. In the Challenger Division, players are accompanied by “buddies” who offer assistance to the Challenger players when needed. This fellowship between children with disabilities and the non-disabled helps develop social skills for both groups.