Barksdale Airman's son plays tee ball at White House

  • Published
  • By Amn. Allison Boehm
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  A Barksdale Airman's son was selected as a team member to play in a tee-ball game on the White House lawn.

Steven Beruvides, son of Lt. Col. Ricardo Beruvides, 53d Wing's 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron assistant director of operations here, has been playing tee ball for two years and was selected for the special game.

This tee ball game served as the 20th and final game of President George W. Bush's presidency. President Bush started Tee Ball on the South Lawn to help encourage fitness among America's youth and promote our national pastime.

Six-year-old Steven participated in the tee-ball game specifically for children of military personnel. He was one of five children from each branch of military service, totaling 26 children selected nationwide.

Once the Beruvides family heard about the opportunity, they sent in an application. The questions included Colonel Beruvides military deployments and history. The president of Bossier City Little League then sent the form to Little League International.

When Steven's mother received the acceptance letter she read it to her son, who jumped up and down screaming, "That is so cool! I get to go to the White House!"

The day of the game, the players and their families met for lunch sponsored by Little League International where they received tee-ball uniforms they wore during the game. The players were split into teams, the Stripes, who wore red, and the Stars, who wore blue. Steven's uniform also had the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron patch sewn on it.

After lunch, the participants toured the East Wing and then went to the South Lawn for the game.

President Bush arrived to watch the game along with his family and Admiral Mullen, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, who served as the Honorary Commissioner of the game. The country musicians, Rascal Flatts performed the National Anthem and also watched the game.

Each player was able to bat once and play the field for one inning, said Colonel Beruvides. Steven, who played for the Stripes team, pitched and played second base.

After the game, President Bush presented each player with a signed Presidential Seal baseball. Each player also received a signed certificate from the President.

"Steven loves to play tee ball and is really looking forward to playing machine-pitch in the near future. He was very excited to hear he had been selected for this game, especially since it is for children of military personnel," said Colonel Beruvides.

To conclude the evening, a picnic was held on the South Lawn where Rascal Flatts performed a concert for those in attendance.

After scoring the only home run of the game, Steven summed up the day by stating, "Dad, this was the best day of my life."