| Bush shows his stuff at new ballpark 04/07/2001 Associated Press
MILWAUKEE – Access to America's finest practice facilities didn't prepare President Bush for Miller Park: His first pitch was a major league bust.
The president's ceremonial Opening Day toss at the Milwaukee Brewers' new stadium skipped in the dirt before thumping into the mitt of Brewers manager Davey Lopes. Mr. Bush froze in his follow-through for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders.
Ball. Way too low. A bit outside.
The president had tried to lower expectations before taking the mound. "The split-finger is sometimes not meant to reach the plate," Mr. Bush joked in the Brewers' locker room before the game.
He had practiced with an aide last weekend at the presidential retreat in Camp David, Md., and again Thursday on the South Lawn of the White House.
White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, an amateur ballplayer, said he was impressed with his boss's arm when they played catch on the South Lawn. For a 54-year-old man, Mr. Fleischer said, Mr. Bush "throws pretty good heat."
Mr. Bush, a lifelong fan of the game and former managing general partner of the Texas Rangers, met with the Brewers and rival Cincinnati Reds before the game. It was hard to tell who was more starstruck, the players or the president.
Hall of Famer Rod Carew, the Brewers hitting coach, asked Mr. Bush for an autograph. "Something's wrong with this picture," Mr. Bush said as he signed a baseball.
Hours after the Senate shaved about $300 billion off his 10-year, $1.6 trillion tax cut, Mr. Bush made a pitch for his plan and won fans among the millionaire baseball players.
"I support your tax cut," said Scott Sullivan, a Reds pitcher.
"It's coming," Mr. Bush said. "It's going to be a heck of a lot bigger than people thought."
In the Brewers locker room, team assistant Terry Laschen whispered encouragement to Mr. Bush. The president asked him to speak up, recognizing a living response to critics who say most of the tax cuts would benefit the wealthiest Americans.
"Thank you for the tax break!" bellowed Mr. Laschen, who makes $9,000 a year on top of a $20,000 pension. "I've got a city pension and that's it. I need the tax break, man."
Brewers pitcher Mike DeJean shook Mr. Bush's hand and told a teammate afterward, "It's nice to have an honest redneck in there, finally."
Later, from the dugout, Mr. Bush watched the introductions before his first pitch. His arms crossed at his chest, the president shifted his weight from one foot to the another and pressed his lips together – looking as nervous as a rookie pitcher in his Brewers warmup jacket.
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