Nowitzki throws first pitch for Rangers after jumper

A DIFFERENT BALLGAME. Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, of Germany, throws out the honorary first pitch before the start of an interleague baseball game between the New York Mets and the Texas Rangers, Friday, June 24, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. AP

ARLINGTON, Texas – NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki of Germany at a one-legged jump shot than throwing a baseball. He got to do both Friday.

When the Dallas Mavericks basketball star went out to throw out the first pitch in a Rangers jersey just before Texas played the New York Mets, Nowitzki carried a basketball. Just before getting to the mound, with the crowd cheering wildly, Nowitzki fell back with one of his patented jumpers and sent the ball in the direction of home plate.

After that, the Most Valuable Player of the NBA finals pulled a baseball out of his pocket.

Nowitzki walked to the back of the mound and kicked up some dirt. He then used a high leg kick and threw a fastball that Michael Young had to reach high to catch.