Our forever President Obama made a surprise visit to the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy last Wednesday to play with the kids and share some words of encouragement.
With a bag of groceries in tow to contribute to the academy’s fresh produce market, Obama showed up completely unbeknownst to the children or their parents. Academy staff had been given a ‘heads up’ that he may make an appearance that week, but they kept it secret as to not disappoint the children if Obama’s schedule changed. While the parents present tried their best to remain calm and collected, the children could not contain their excitement. The one kid who represents all of us is the boy running and screaming “Barack Obama! Barack Obama!” as seen in the video below.
Obama visits the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy from DCist on Vimeo.
Not long after he started playing with the kids, Obama threw a child a touchdown pass and then took the mound and hit a double.
Before leaving he had a little advice.
“If you guys work hard, work hard in school, listen to your coaches, you guys are gonna do great things. I’m going to be on the lookout for you, because I think you’re going to do something important. You guys are gonna make a difference. We’re gonna be really proud of you.”
The Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy is affiliated with the major league team and offers youth ages 8-14 both baseball and softball coaching. In addition, the program also offers academic enrichment and information about healthy eating habits and maintaining their own fresh produce market. The after-school program hosts over one hundred D.C. youth each year who look forward to the high energy and encouraging environment that the academy provides.
Photo credit: Paul Kim