DeLaWho? DeLaWhat? DeLaWhere?

I have not been a BIG fan of the way the Bush Administration run the country for the past four years, however, one of the president's greatest achievements has been the series of teeball games that he has organized to be played on the White House Lawn. Today, from 4-5pm on the White House Lawn, a one-inning Challenger Division Tee-Ball Game is going to be played involving a team from Middletown, DE.

GAME GLANCE
What: MOT Little League vs. Lancaster County (Pa.) Little League in a one-inning Challenger Division Tee Ball game

Where: South Lawn of the White House

When: Today, 4-5 p.m.

courtesy of News Journal

They play for the love of the game
A chance to be like other kids results in trip to White House

By DOUG LESMERISES
Staff reporter
07/11/2004

MIDDLETOWN -- Alyssa Elswick is 7 years old, weighs 40 pounds, and under her catcher's equipment appears to be little more than a blond ponytail and a smile. And, of course, she is with Thomas.

When Alyssa started playing Tee Ball, her 12-year-old brother, Thomas, was not sure whether he wanted to be part of the Challenger Division. The division of Little League gives children with physical and mental challenges a chance to put on a uniform and take the field. Alyssa, who had the equivalent of a stroke as an infant, has cerebral palsy.

Now Thomas is Alyssa's buddy, her on-field helper. When she bats, Thomas hugs his little sister from behind and helps her swing. After coaches help her strap shin guards over her leg braces and slip into a chest protector, Alyssa squats on Thomas' knee behind home plate.

Today, Thomas and Alyssa will play Tee Ball together on the South Lawn of the White House. Two years ago, the Challenger Division didn't even exist in the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Little League. Having just completed its second season, the league is sending one of its Challenger teams - the Phillies - to play before President Bush as part of a White House Little League program. (read on)