The festivities surrounding Major League Baseball's All-Star Game this Tuesday will include President Barack Obama throwing out the first pitch and participating in the actual broadcast during an inning or two. He'll join announcers Joe Buck and Tim McCarver for some light and probably uncomfortable banter. I'll probably use my mute button during that portion of the game but I have no problem with the plan. Presidents and other dignitaries have often used major sports events to up their profile and try to look like regular folks. In times of national crisis, a president at such an event can even be inspiring to the fans. (Remember President Bush throwing that ceremonial World Series pitch right after September 11?) But at this week's game there will be something more.

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A recent article I read discusses a $5.7 billion national service bill President Obama is about to sign. The bill is supposed to provide tuition money for students who volunteer in their communities and that has me wondering if the definition of volunteerism has changed completely.

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