Arizona women's softball team hangs with Pres. Bush

By Callista Balko

Last month, the two-time national champion Arizona women's softball team visited the White House and met with President George W. Bush. Here is catcher Callista Balko's account of the trip.

The Arizona women's softball team enjoyed some face time with the President during their visit to Washington last month. Courtesy of Arizona Athletics

The team arrived in Washington D.C. on June 26 from all over the country. As a history major, I was especially excited to visit some of D.C.'s most historic places. After dinner at California Pizza Kitchen with freshman catcher (and one of my best friends on the team) Lauren Erb, we went to the World War II memorial, which was absolutely beautiful. I had never seen the monuments at night and the lights and waterfalls were quite a sight. We also went to the Lincoln Memorial that night and the Washington Monument, which is located directly across from the Lincoln. I had seen both of these monuments before, but I forgot how enormous the statues and building really were, especially the Lincoln memorial -- another one of my favorites.

On Wednesday, we went to Capitol Hill and took some photographs of the Capitol Building and the Library of Congress. While we were there, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) stopped by to meet with the team and thank us for coming. After that, we got to take a tour of the Capitol Building and our tour guides kept throwing out some history about the building and some famous politicians. As a history major I had a great appreciation for all the small details and history.

One last minute change in the schedule turned out to be a blessing. At the Supreme Court, we were able to meet Chief Justice John Roberts and chat with him for 20 minutes. Once I learned what he had to do in one year, I instantly had a greater respect for all the justices and what they have to do each day and each trial.

Callista Balko hit .231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs for national champion Arizona last season. Dwain Scott/WireImage

After the Supreme Court, we went to lunch before heading over the White House. Honestly, it did not hit me until we were on our way there that we were actually going to the White House. I called my boyfriend and was getting a little hysterical. I told him how nervous I was and how I was getting crazy butterflies. It is funny because I hardly ever get nervous or intimidated, but let's be honest how do you prepare yourself to talk to the president?

The visit was surreal. You never actually think about doings something like that, because it is more like something that would happen in a dream. I had no idea what to expect. The grounds were beautiful. I thought that rooms were going to be newly furnished but once we were touring I realized that every room's furniture was so old, it had all been saved for over a century! That was interesting to look at all the preserved furnishing and beautiful paintings. There were tons of paintings and each room had its own color theme, there was a red, green and blue room.

After a brief tour of some of the rooms, we were told that in a few minutes the team would be taking a photograph with President Bush. Soon after, he walked out of the White House towards the Rose Garden, where we waited. He was just as I imagined -- very outgoing and down to earth. He had a very powerful presence but at the same time he made you feel like you had known him for a long time. He seemed very humbled, which made it easier and more comfortable for us.

After the team photo with President Bush, we watched a tee ball game on the South Lawn between a couple of teams from Virginia and Maryland, followed by a reception. During the game, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) stopped by to greet the team and offer congratulations. It was a thrill to meet another politician from our state, who like so many of the other wonderful people we met that day, was so down to earth and approachable.

Following the tee ball game and the picnic, the team headed to the ESPN Zone for a reception with some 200 alumni. On the bus ride over there, everyone was giddy -- sharing photos that they had taken. A few lucky players were able to get individual shots with the president.

This trip was something that I will never forget, and I am so grateful that I got to share it with such a special group of people.