|
|
 |
 |   |
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Video Plus Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities 
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
Historic visit President Bush throws out first pitch at championship
Updated: Sunday August 26, 2001 11:01 PM
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- President Bush threw out the first pitch before Sunday's Little League World Series championship game, becoming the first sitting president ever to visit the tournament. Bush, once a part owner of the Texas Rangers, was enshrined in Little League's Hall of Excellence as the first former Little League player to become president. He told fans before the game that he had dreamed as a child of playing in the Little League World Series. “Years ago when I was playing on those dusty Little League fields in Texas, I never dreamt I'd be the leader of the United States, and I surely never dreamt I'd be enshrined in the Little League Hall of Excellence,” Bush said. Bush shook hands with players from both teams before the game between Apopka, Fla., and Tokyo Kitasuna. “I must confess I have a soft spot in my heart for the Florida team,” said Bush, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “I know and like your governor.” During the first inning, Bush spoke briefly with Bronx, N.Y., pitcher Danny Almonte, who earlier in the tournament threw just the third perfect game in Little League World Series history. The Bronx team finished third. Bush said he hoped to one day see Almonte pitch in the major leagues. Almonte “said he was very proud to have talked to the president,” said Rolando Paulino, president of Almonte's league.
Bush left in the third inning, with Apopka leading 1-0. Tokyo
won 2-1, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
| |||||||||||||||||||||
