Governor Perdue Places Friendly Wager With President George W. Bush on Little League Softball Game

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue and former President George W. Bush today announced a friendly wager on the outcome of tonight’s Little League Softball World Series Championship game. The Warner Robins American Little League (WRALL) softball team faces Crawford Little League at 7 p.m. Eastern Time tonight. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

“These two talented, undefeated teams should put on a great show for fans in both of our states and across the country,” Governor Perdue said. “It’s exciting to have my hometown represented on the world stage like this, and I know President Bush is proud of the girls from Crawford as well.”

"Sonny is a good friend, and I am proud to join him in supporting these two teams and their families,” said President Bush. “Laura and I will follow the championship with great interest, and we will be rooting for a good game and a Crawford victory."

President Bush and Governor Perdue spoke by phone today and agreed to help raise funds to offset the travel costs for the players’ families in Crawford and Warner Robins.  They committed to donate $500 each, a total of $1,000, with 60 percent of the total going to the winner’s league and 40 percent to the runner-up’s league.  Also, President Bush agreed to co-sign 12 softballs with Governor Perdue for WRALL to auction and raise additional funds.

The WRALL softball team has emerged unscathed through both regional and World Series play with a combined record of 10-0 during the two tournaments.

It has been 50 years since Governor Perdue suited up for the Warner Robins American Little League team. In recent years, the league has become known as a Little League powerhouse. In 2007, the WRALL baseball team won the Little League World Series and successfully defended their Georgia championship last year before falling in the regional tournament. The 2009 squad won the state title for the third year in a row, and on Friday night beat Virginia to secure a place in this year’s World Series.

Little League records indicate that no league has produced baseball and softball champions in the same year.   Governor Perdue encouraged Georgians to support both the baseball and softball teams by giving to WRALL.  Donations can be sent to WRALL, P.O. Box 6562, Warner Robins, Georgia 31095.  For more information on WRALL, visit wrall.org.

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