McGuire family member makes history

Published Sept. 10, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Kasen Warrick is his name; tee ball is his game.

He's only 6 years old, but little Kasen has made history. Handpicked by McGuire's Youth Center staff, Kasen recently took a trip to the White House for a game of tee ball with the president of the United States.

President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush started Tee Ball on the South Lawn seven years ago; Sept. 7 was the final game for President Bush's administration. The final game welcomed 26 tee ball players, from across the nation, who have a parent currently serving on active duty in the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines or Coast Guard.

"Kevin Hansen from the Youth Center was notified that he could choose one tee ball player from McGuire, and he said Kasen was his first choice," said Kasen's dad, Master Sgt. James Warrick, 305th Security Forces Squadron. "This was Kasen's second year playing tee ball, and he's always so enthusiastic about it -- I was thrilled to hear Kasen was picked for the game!"

Sergeant Warrick, who is currently deployed and was unable to attend his son's game with the president, quickly passed the information to his wife.

"I was in shock -- no one gets that call (to play tee ball with the president)," said Kasen's mom, Kyan Warrick. "It was especially exciting since my husband is deployed; it was a highlight for Kasen, since he knew his dad would be watching." Ms. Warrick videotaped the tee ball game for her husband, since a video satellite feed was unable to be set up.

Kasen was somewhat reserved when his mom gave him the good news about the tee ball game with the president.

"I told him, 'Kevin (Hansen) called and asked if you want to play tee ball with the president'" his mom explained. The 6-year-old tee-ball pro said, "uh ... ok."

His mother went on to ask Kasen if he knew who the president is. "That's daddy's big boss," she said. Kasen was especially excited when he knew he would be playing tee ball with his dad's boss, she said.

President Bush, the first U.S. president to have played Little League, uses the games as a way to highlight the fun and camaraderie that children and their families can have by participating in the sports of baseball and softball, according to a Little League International press release. No score is kept during the tee ball games.

As a passionate baseball fan herself, Ms. Warrick said, "I think it's great the president has an interest in promoting children's sports. It's also great to keep baseball going and to have fun with it. I hope Kasen continues to strive to be his best, to reach his goals and to accept great opportunities as they arise."

Sergeant Warrick added that it was great to see the president dedicate his last tee ball game at the White House to military families. "It shows he cares and recognizes the contributions and sacrifices families make doing their part for the mission," he said.

His wife seemed to agree.

"It was great for military children to be recognized this way," Ms. Warrick said. "This was the White House -- what it represents is what our military members and families are fighting for."

According to a Little League International press release, the armed services have played an active role in several previous Tee Ball on the South Lawn games. Three games have featured children of families playing in Little League programs located on or near U.S. military installations, but this was the first involving all five branches.

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world's largest youth sports organization, with nearly 2.7 million children participating in every U.S. state and dozens of other countries on six continents. Little League's Tee Ball division is for player's who are ages 4-8, with about 800,000 participants in the U.S.