WILLIAMSPORT , Pa. (Feb. 18, 2008) – U.S. President George W. Bush, on a five-nation visit to Africa, will deliver baseball equipment to a Little League Baseball program in the capital city of Accra on Wednesday.

The Accra Little League will use the equipment in a Tee Ball game, to be attended by President Bush and other dignitaries. President Bush is the first U.S. President to have played Little League. He was a catcher on his Midland, Texas team. As President, he has invited Little League Tee Ball teams to the White House for 17 games on the South Lawn through the first seven years of his administration.

The equipment is one of the “starter kits” provided to Little League International by Wilson Sporting Goods as part of its sponsorship of Little League. Wilson provides the kits so that fledgling Little League programs, in places where baseball equipment is scarce, can begin playing the game.

One kit contains enough equipment for a full season of baseball for four teams, including bats, balls, catcher’s gear, helmets and other items. In all, the kit weighs about 500 pounds.

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