DANA POINT, Calif. — If President-elect Barack Obama has nothing better to do April 6, here's an offer relayed through the Chicago Tribune from White Sox general manager Kenny Williams:

"I'll make an executive decision right now. Let this be a formal invitation: If he would like to throw out the first pitch on Opening Day next year, we can find a spot for him."

So the world's most important White Sox fan now is invited formally back to the South Side for a mound visit at U.S. Cellular Field against Kansas City.

That's appropriate, because Obama never fails to ask about pitching when he talks with Williams.

"Now I not only have to answer to (Chairman) Jerry Reinsdorf about pitching, I have to answer to the president," Williams said. "It's one thing when he would ask me about pitching as a senator, but now he's going to ask the question as president and I have to say, 'Mr. President.'

"I have to answer to the highest office now."

Williams, who is attending the general managers meetings here, admits it's "kind of cool" to know the president and to know the president is a true fan.

"I'll tell you what, when we won the World Series (in 2005), he was one of the first ones at the front door waiting for us," he said.