T-ball teams take to White House lawn

Bush autographs baseballs for Little Leaguers at the White House

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two Little League T-ball teams are slugging it out on the South Lawn of the White House Sunday afternoon, cheered on by Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and baseball's first fan, President George Bush.

NBC sportscaster Bob Costas is providing "color commentary," offering details about each player such as their favorite food or color, and the mascot San Diego Chicken is also on hand to provide antics.

The two teams, the Satchell Paige League Memphis Red Sox and the Capitol City League Rockies, are wearing different colored jerseys, but both are called the "South Lawn Sluggers," for the day.

White House groundskeepers meticulously built a T-ball field on the South Lawn Thursday, measuring out baselines, painting them and fixing bases in the ground. The official batting tee was carefully placed atop home plate.

Bush and the first lady, Laura Bush, returned from Camp David for the game. The president made general remarks and led the team in a Little League pledge.

Only one inning will be played, with each player allowed a chance at the tee. The game is expected to last about an hour. The event is limited to families and special guests to keep it intimate, said Jim Wilkinson, a White House spokesman.

Each child will receive a ball signed by the president, followed by a picnic. Before the game, the players and their families will be given a private tour of the White House.

Bush, a Little League player in Midland, Texas, in his youth, is a former owner of the Texas Rangers professional baseball club.

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